Catalytic Aerobic Oxidation of Arylhydrazides with Iron Phthalocyanine

A convenient method for the synthesis of 2-arylazocarboxylates from 2-arylhydrazinecarboxylates by aerobic oxidation with iron phthalocyanine is described. The reaction is applicable to oxidative activation of 1-acyl-2-phenylhydrazines. Some preliminary experiments suggest Michaelis-Menten kinetics and participation of radical species in the reaction mechanism.