Recent Advances in Synthesis and Applications of Azoxybenzenes

Azoxybenzene derivatives are important scaffolds in organic chemistry. These are widely used molecules having diverse bioactivity and several applications including fine chemicals synthesis, heterocyclic scaffolds synthesis, as directing groups in functionalization reactions and use as organic dyes. These are the vital intermediates observed during the redox pathways for the nitrobenzene to aniline conversions and vice‐versa. It is quite challenging to extract these intermediates as the final product from these redox pathways. Herein, we have focused on the synthesis approaches to access azoxybenzenes employing thermal, photo‐redox mechanical, and electrochemical conditions. Additionally, their applications in key reactions including nitrene transfer reactions, azoxy group transfer, heterocyclic synthesis, and as directing groups in catalysis have been explored describing the recent trends and mechanistic interventions.