Ab initio calculations have been performed on several different structures for the dicationic intermediate proposed for the Wallach rearrangement of aromatic azoxy compounds to hydroxy-substituted azo systems in strongly acidic media. For the unsubstituted parent compound azoxybenzene, these calculations reveal that the preferred structure for the intermediate is planar, as previously assumed, but bent rather than linear as we have formulated it. The presence of two methyl groups at the para positions of both aromatic rings does not change this situation, but six methyl groups at all para and ortho ring positions lead to a different preferred structure still bent but with the two aromatic rings now at 90° to one another rather than being coplanar undoubtedly due to steric interference between the ortho methyl groups. In all the cases examined the two positive charges reside primarily in the aromatic rings rather than on the nitrogens, which are sp2 hybridized and still have their lone pairs. The overall structures can best be regarded as two six-electron π systems joined together, with little communication between the two rings. For the most part the calculations are in good agreement with experimental observations. Recent calculations on other possible reaction intermediates by other groups are also discussed.Key words: Ab initio calculations, Wallach rearrangement, azoxyarenes, reaction intermediate, acid catalysis, intermediate structure, reaction mechanism.
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