Oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrazines and diarylamines using a polyoxomolybdate-based iron catalyst.

We report an efficient method for the oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrazines and diarylamines in aqueous ethanol using Anderson-type polyoxomolybdate-based iron(iii) as a catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. A series of azo compounds and tetraarylhydrazines were obtained in moderate to excellent yields. The reaction conditions and substrate scopes are complementary or superior to those of more established protocols. In addition, the catalyst shows good stability and reusability in water. The preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that a radical process is involved in the reaction.