Isotope Scrambling with ^(15)N-Labeled Azide Ion and p-Toluenesulfonyl Azide

p-Toluenesulfonyl azide (1) reacts with azide ion in dimethyl sulfoxide solution to form p-toluenesulfinate anion and dinitrogen (eq 1, Ts = 4-CH_3C_6H_4SO_2).^2 For a determination of whether TsN_3+N_3 → Ts + 3N_2 (1) or not there are solvent effects on this reaction, it has been studied in other solvents by ^(15)N NMR spectroscopy using potassium azide-1,3-^(15)N_1 (99%) as a tracer.