Synthesis of ortho-Azophenols by Formal Dehydrogenative Coupling of Phenols and Hydrazines or Hydrazides.

Azophenols are important chromophores and reagents in organic synthesis, with applications as pigments and molecular switches. Here, we describe a catalytic aerobic process that couples phenols and hydrazines or hydrazides for their synthesis. The key aromatic C-N bond is formed by condensation between the hydrazine or hydrazide and an ortho-quinone, which triggers a redox-isomerization to install the azo-functionality. Notable features include rapid access to highly functionalized azophenols with a range of electronic configurations, including "push-pull" systems, conditions that employ simple, unactivated substrates, occurrence at room temperature using an earth-abundant and commercially available copper catalyst, and production of water as the only stoichiometric byproduct.