Azoxybenzene is organic compound with the formula C6H5N(O)NC6H5.

The N-N and N-O bond lengths are nearly the same at 1.23 Å.

This reaction is proposed to proceed via the intermediacy of phenylhydroxylamine and nitrosobenzene:[2] Another option is the oxidation of aniline by hydrogen peroxide, in acetonitrile at 50 °C.

In this reaction, the pH should be kept around 8, to activate the hydrogen peroxide and avoid too much oxygen evolution at the same time.

First, the acetonitrile is oxidized, forming an imine hydroperoxide.