Among the azo pigments, azobenzenes are important class of dyes. They have been used as photoresponsive functional devices utilized as smart polymers,1 molecular switches, and machines.2 A literature survey reveals that, in contrast to the vast number of studies done on the chemical synthesis of azobenzenes, there are relatively few studies on the electrochemical synthesis of the azobenzenes.3This prompted us to synthesize 4,4’-bis(acetamido)azobenzene through the electrochemical oxidation of 4-aminoacetanilide in aqueous solutions. Electrochemical oxidation of 4-aminoacetanilide has been studied in various pHs using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that electrochemically generated p-quinone-diimines participates in different type reactions based on solution’s pH. It is hydrolyzed in strong acidic and alkaline media and also, it is dimerized in intermediate pHs.
