The reaction of benzoyl peroxide with N-methylaniline and N-ethylaniline yields NN′-dimethylhydrazobenzene and NN′-diethylhydrazobenzene, respectively, in addition to previously reported products. The yields of 2-(N-alkylbenzamido) phenols can be increased by carrying out the reaction in benzene in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide; this reaction provides a preparative method for the o-hydroxylation of N-alkylanilines. This modification also enables o-benzamidophenols to be obtained from primary aromatic amines.