Constitution of the Diazoamido- Compounds. 517 



diazoamido-compounds by acids, nor the production of mixed 

 products from mixed compounds (see the foregoing Table). 



Another symmetrical formula has been proposed by Victor 

 Meyer*, viz. : — 



X— N — -N— Y 



L_ N _i 



H 



but this was abandoned by him as having but little probability. 

 One of the greatest objections to this formula is that it fails to 

 represent the N-atom which is attached to the replaceable 

 H-atom as being also directly attached to one or the other of 

 the aromatic radicals. The decomposition of the ethyl - 

 derivatives of the dinitrodiazoamido-compounds by acids 

 shows that this mode of attachment of the NH-group certainly 

 exists (see the foregoing Table). 



In the course of the present investigations another symme- 

 trical formula has suggested itself, which may be here given: — 



H 







H 





• 





X- 



-1ST- 



-Y 



.— N— Y 



or 









N^N 











This formula does not, however, appear to me to have any 

 probability, as it fails to explain the decomposition of the 

 diazoamido-compounds by acids, or the existence of isomeric 

 alkyl-derivatives. Moreover, the formula of diazoamidoben- 

 zene written on this type : — 



H 



C 6 H 5 .N.C 6 H 5 



nOn 



would indicate a close relationship between this substance and 

 the remarkably stable diphenylamine. The latter is not 

 found, however, among the reduction-products of diazoamido- 

 benzene ; and there is no experimental evidence of any kind 

 in favour of such a relationship. 



Before proceeding to put forward my own views upon the 

 constitution of these compounds it will be desirable to take a 



* Ber. deut. chem. Gesell. xiv. (1881), p. 2447, note. 



