The NiCl 2 .2H 2 O/Li/DTBB (10mol%) combination allows the reduction of aromatic hydrazines 1 (to amines), azo compounds 2 (to primary amines), azoxy compounds 3 (to azo compounds or to primary amines, depending on the reaction conditions) or amine N-oxides 4 (to tertiary amines), under mild reaction conditions (THF, room temperature).