7.1.2 The Reaction of Diazonium Salts
7.1.2.1 Reactions of nucleophiles at nitrogen
Nucleophiles react with diazonium ions to give covalent diazo-compounds. For example, phenol via phenoxide ion couples with diazonium salt at pH 9-10 to afford para -azophenols in good yield.
7.1.2.2 SN1 Reaction
Diazonium salts decompose on warming into nitrogen and aryl cation which is highly reactive and could be attacked by any nucleophile in its vicinity.
7.1.2.3 One Electron Reductions
Diazonium ions could be reduced by single electron transfer to give an aryl radical and nitrogen. Copper(I) is frequently used for this purpose and the aryl radical is highly reactive capable of abstracting a ligand from the transition metal ion or a hydrogen atom from a covalent bond.
