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.