A novel indicator series for measuring pKa values in acetonitrile

A series of substituted azobenzene dyes was found to span a range of 8 pKa units in acetonitrile. The UV absorption spectra of the dyes are responsive to protonation, changing in both absorption maximum and intensity. These characteristics make the dyes useful as indicators for the measurement of pKa values of neutral organic bases that absorb in the visible region of the spectrum.