The thermal decomposition of azobenzene

Abstract

The rate of nitrogen formation during the thermal decomposition of azobenzene in static and stirred-flow systems was measured over the temperature range of 368.9 °C to 437.4 °C. The first order rate constant was found to be given by the expression[Formula: see text]A consideration of the equilibrium constant between cis-azobenzene and trans-azobenzenc, and the rate of attainment of equilibrium, leads to the conclusion that a small concentration of cis-azobenzene is always present, at equilibrium with the trans isomer. Since the cis isomer is likely to be more reactive than the trans isomer the rate constant cannot be ascribed to the trans isomer alone. No effect of variation of surface-to-volume ratio could be detected. Some preliminary experiments in which toluene and ethylene were employed as additives indicated that these did not affect the rate of formation of nitrogen. Nevertheless, because of a certain amount of scatter in the results, a small effect could not be excluded. There were at least nine products, in addition to nitrogen.