Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic azo compounds is provided which comprises contacting a nucleophilic compound and an azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable solvent system, and reacting the nucleophilic compound and the azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. in a confined reaction zone wherein the molar ratio of protic material to base is 0:1 to about 5:1. In another embodiment, the substituted aromatic azo compounds are further reacted with a nucleophilic compound in the presence of a suitable solvent system, a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a temperature of about 70.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. in a confined reaction zone wherein the molar ratio of protic material to base is 0:1 to about 5:1 to produce a substituted aromatic amine.

Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic amines which comprises contacting a nucleophilic compound and a substituted aromatic azo compound in the presence of a suitable solvent system, and reacting the nucleophilic compound and the substituted aromatic azo compound in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a temperature of about 70.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. in a confined reaction zone wherein the molar ratio of protic material to base is 0:1 to about 5:1. In another embodiment, the substituted aromatic amines of the invention are reductively alkylated to produce alkylated diamines or substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic azo compounds is provided which comprises contacting a nucleophilic compound and an azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable solvent system, and reacting the nucleophilic compound and the azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. in a confined reaction zone wherein the molar ratio of protic material to base is 0:1 to about 5:1.

Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic amines is provided which comprises contacting a nucleophilic compound and an azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable solvent system, reacting the nucleophilic compound and the azo containing compound in the presence of a suitable base and a controlled amount of protic material at a temperature of about 10.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. in a confined reaction zone wherein the molar ratio of protic material to base is 0:1 to about 5:1 and reducing the product of the reaction of the nucleophilic compound and the azo containing compound under conditions which produce the substituted aromatic amine. In another embodiment, the substituted aromatic amines of the invention are reductively alkylated to produce alkylated diamines or substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing substituted aromatic amines is provided which comprises contacting a substituted aromatic azo compound and an alcohol selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, cycloaliphatic alcohols, arylalkyl alcohols and mixtures thereof in the presence of a suitable base at a temperature of about 70.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. In another embodiment, the substituted aromatic amines of the invention are reductively alkylated to produce alkylated diamines or substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A process for preparing p-nitroaromatic amides is provided which comprises contacting a nitrile, nitrobenzene, a suitable base and water in the presence of a suitable solvent system to form a mixture, and reacting the mixture at a suitable temperature in a confined reaction zone in the presence of a controlled amount of protic material. The p-nitroaromatic amides of the invention can be reduced to p-aminoaromatic amides. In one embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amide is further reacted with ammonia under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the amide corresponding to the nitrile starting material or with water in the presence of a suitable basic or acidic catalyst under conditions which produce the corresponding p-aminoaromatic amine and the acid or salt thereof corresponding to the nitrile starting material. In another embodiment, the p-aminoaromatic amine is reductively alkylated to produce alkylated p-aminoaromatic amine.