tert-Butyl Nitrite Mediated Regiospecific Nitration of ( E)-Azoarenes through Palladium-Catalyzed Directed CH Activation.

An efficient protocol for the Pd-catalyzed regiospecific ortho-nitration of ( E)-azoarenes has been achieved for the first time using tBuONO as a nitrating agent under atmospheric oxygen. A series of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical azoarenes were nitrated efficiently by this procedure providing excellent chemo- and regioselectivity and compatibility with a broad array of functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]