Concise preparation of azenes by oxidation of aromatic amines with molecular oxygen in subcritical water

Reaction of organic substrates with molecular oxygen, the most abundant and accessible oxidant, has always been an attractive method for preparation of target molecules. In terms of green chemistry, non-metal-catalyzed oxidation of organic substrates is very attractive. This paper describes a general procedure for synthesis of azenes by oxidation of primary aromatic amines with molecular oxygen (O-3(2)) in subcritical water. The reactions afforded the corresponding azenes in moderate to good yield.