Home > Community > Why use potassium iodide instead of copper iodide in Sandmeyer reaction?
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Mizanur Rahman

Why use potassium iodide instead of copper iodide in Sandmeyer reaction?

Miguel Corazao  Follow

Sandmeyer reactions using iodides, water, and thiols do not require the copper(I) ion as a catalyst for the reaction to proceed whereas your other nucleophiles do (though not necessarily stoichiometrically).

Sandmeyer Mechanism Sandmeyer without copper

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As you can see the copper(I) ion is important in reducing the diazonium to nitrogen and forming a radical. Iodine, oxygen, and sulfur must be able to be oxidized by diazonium and therefore do not require copper.

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J.e. Schoon  Follow
Is there any evidence that thiols, water (and presumably alcohols), and iodide are oxidized? Oxidation of thiols and iodide are (relatively) facile, but I dont consider oxidation of water to be in the same class. If it has something to do with nucleophilic strength, surely cyanide is a stronger nucleophile than water, yet cyanide requires presence of copper(I). Its probably not appropriate to call copper a catalyst, since its present in stoichiometric amounts.More
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Héctor López  Follow
The answer says that oxygen must be oxidized by diazonium in order to avoid the need for copper. Is there evidence that water is oxidized in this reaction?More
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Janice Ernster  Follow
This is incorrect conclusion - only catalytic reaction is with redox steps. Its not like it wont work at all with Cl and Br, but Cu makes an improvement.More
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Jennifer Kong  Follow
The copper is not always added in a stoichiometric amount. The reaction with just water requires an input of heat to effect the reaction.More
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