1,2-Eliminations in a novel reductive coupling of nitroarenes to give azoxy arenes by sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide.

[reaction: see text]. Symmetric azoxy arenes were successfully prepared in one step from 2 equiv of the corresponding nitroarenes by use of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide as the deoxygenating agents in THF at 150 degrees C in a sealed tube.