Secondary reactions in the photolysis and pyrolysis of azoethane

Abstract
A brief study has been made of the secondary reactions occurring in the thermolysis and photolysis of azoethane. In thermolysis the important secondary products found are ethyl 2-butyl diimide and ethanal diethylhydrazone. In photolysis tetraethyl hydrazine has also been detected in substantial yields.The possible role of secondary reactions in the thermolysis and photolysis of azo compounds is discussed.