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Amines

Azo coupling, azo dyes and the origin of colour

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Product formed when benzenediazonium chloride is coupled with phenol, mechanism of an azo coupling reaction and identify the electrophile and terms of electrons why azo compounds are strongly coloured.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

State the reagent and conditions used to couple a benzenediazonium salt with phenol.

Key term

Name the product formed when benzenediazonium chloride is coupled with phenol, and state its colour.

Key term

Which position on the phenol ring does the coupling take place at, and why?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State the reagent and conditions used to couple a benzenediazonium salt with phenol.

    Model answer

    The cold diazonium solution is added to phenol dissolved in aqueous sodium hydroxide, with the mixture kept below 10 °C.

  2. 2

    Name the product formed when benzenediazonium chloride is coupled with phenol, and state its colour.

    Model answer

    The product is 4-hydroxyazobenzene, an orange-yellow solid.

  3. 3

    Which position on the phenol ring does the coupling take place at, and why?

    Model answer

    Coupling occurs at position 4, directly opposite the hydroxyl group, because that position is the most activated and is the least hindered.

  4. 4

    Explain why alkaline conditions are used when a diazonium salt is coupled with phenol.

    Model answer

    Alkali converts the phenol into the phenoxide ion, whose extra negative charge activates the ring much more strongly towards attack by the weakly electrophilic diazonium ion.

  5. 5

    Write the equation for the coupling of benzenediazonium chloride with phenylamine.

    Model answer

    C₆H₅N₂Cl + C₆H₅NH₂ → C₆H₅N=NC₆H₄NH₂ + HCl.

  6. 6

    Name the mechanism of an azo coupling reaction and identify the electrophile.

    Model answer

    It is electrophilic substitution on the aromatic ring, and the diazonium ion itself is the electrophile.

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