The title radicals were generated from 2-(arylazo)-2'-iodobiphenyls us
ing the tin hydride method. When the aryl substituent has an acetyloxy
or a benzoyloxy group in the ortho position, besides reduction of the
hydrazyl radical, a migration of the acetyl or benzoyl from oxygen to
nitrogen atom took place. The mechanism of the rearrangement is discu
ssed, and evidences supporting a radical pathway are reported, includi
ng EPR characterization of the intermediates.