What is "azobenzene"

Azobenzene \Az`o*ben"zene\, n. [Azo- + benzene.] (Chem.) A substance ( C6H5.N2.C6H5) derived from nitrobenzene, forming orange red crystals which are easily fusible.

n. (context chemistry English) An aromatic azo compound, diphenyl diazene, the basis of many dyes.

Azobenzene is a chemical compound composed of two phenyl rings linked by a N=N double bond. It is the simplest example of an aryl azo compound. The term 'azobenzene' or simply 'azo' is often used to refer to a wide class of molecules that share the core azobenzene structure, with different chemical functional groups extending from the phenyl rings. These azo compounds are considered as derivatives of diazene (diimide), and are sometimes referred to as 'diazenes'. The diazenes absorb light strongly and are used as dyes in a variety of industries.