A method of direct synthesis of ortho-acyloxylated azoarenes via palladium-catalyzed C-H bond activation was developed. The reaction proceeded was smoothly at room temprature and have better yield in shorter times. The obtained ortho-acyloxylated azoarenes could be efficiently converted into 2-hydroxyazobenzenes in good yields through a hydrolysis process. Many various ortho-acyloxylated azoarenes were obtained in moderate to high yields by palladium-catalyzed direct C(sp(2))-H acyloxylation of aromatic azo compounds with PhI(OAc)(2). [GRAPHICS] .