Azobenzene

(az-o-ben' '-zen), A compound formed by the action of sodium amalgam upon the alcoholic solution of nitro-benzene. It forms orange-red, rhombic crystals, readily soluble in alcohol and ether, but sparingly in water. It melts at 68°, and distils at Azo-compounds. In chemistry, compounds intermediate between the nitro compounds and the amido compounds, and made from the former by partial reduction, or from the latter by partial oxidation.