The photochemistry of phenyl azide

The literature data on the photochemical reactions of phenyl azide under different conditions are reviewed. Its photoinitiated autocatalytic chain decomposition reaction is examined in detail. Questions relating to the structure and properties of intermediates formed during photolysis of aryl azides and the mechanism of formation of azo compounds are discussed. The existing information on photoinitiated chain reactions of alkyl and aryl azides is briefly considered. The bibliography includes 93 references.