Synthesis 2011(14): 2223-2236  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1260082
SPECIALTOPIC
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Photoinduced Cleavage of N-N Bonds of Aromatic Hydrazines and Hydrazides by Visible Light

Mingzhao Zhu, Nan Zheng*
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Fax: +1(479)5754049; e-Mail: nzheng@uark.edu;
Further Information

Publication History

Received 16 April 2011
Publication Date:
21 June 2011 (online)

Abstract

A photocatalytic system involving [Ru(bpyrz)3](PF6)2˙2H2O, visible light, and air has been developed for cleavage of the N-N bonds of hydrazines and hydrazides. This catalytic system is generally effective for N,N-disubstituted hydrazine and hydrazide derivatives, including arylhydrazides, N-alkyl-N-arylhydrazines, and N,N-diarylhydrazines. The utility of this cleavage reaction has been demonstrated by synthesizing a variety of secondary aromatic amines.

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The abbreviation bpyrz stands for 2,2′-bipyrazine.

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The acetylation was performed because of the volatility of N-methylaniline.

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Commercially available. CAS number: 1019542-99-4.