The decomposition of diazo-compounds induced by nucleophiles. The decomposition of 9-diazofluorene in the presence of hydroxide or alkoxide ions.

9-Diazofluorene, on treatment with stoichiometric or substoichiometric amounts of quaternary ammonium hydroxide or methoxide or of potassium t-butoxide in solution in aqueous or alcoholic dimethyl sulfoxide or acetonitrile at 30 degrees C, decomposes with evolution of nitrogen to yield fluorenone azine [bis(fluorenylidene)hydrazine] in almost quantitative yield. Studies are reported of the identity of the minor by-products, together with an examination of the kinetics of the reactions and additional spectroscopic experiments. The general rate equation is v = k[FIN2]3/2[Nu-]1/2, where Nu- represents the nucleophile.