Hexamethylazoxybenzene. Structure, Basicity, and Rearrangement

Abstract

2,2′,4,4′,6,6′-Hexamethylazoxybenzene (1) has been prepared and characterized. The u.v. spectrum is indicative of large distortion from coplanarity. 1 is only slightly more basic than azoxybenzene despite expectations due to electronic effect of the methyl substituents. Two factors are considered responsible for this: steric inhibition of resonance in the unprotonated species and steric hindrance to hydration in the conjugate acid.Rearrangement of 1 in moderately concentrated sulfuric acid gives rise to the alcohol 4-hydroxymethyl-2,2′,4′,6,6′-pentamethylazobenzene (6). A Bamberger type phenolic product which would result from methyl migration is not observed. Possible reaction mechanisms are given.