The Sandmeyer reaction: synthesis of o-iodobenzoic acid. LAB Experimental background. In the following lab, a Sandmeyer reaction will be used to convert anthranil o-iodobenzoic acid. Below is the overall reaction: orthop QOH aOH Q OH 0 QOH HCI NH3 CI NEN KI H20 H20 © NH NaNO2 anthranilic acid diazonium ion o-benzoic acid beds by formation of a This NEN acts as substitution. The reaction proceeds by formation of a reactive diazonium ion, which is an unsta vith a NEN group bonded to a carbon. This NEN acts as a good leaving group, he molecule as gaseous nitrogen during a nucleophilic substitution. The diaz ormed by a nitrosation reaction, which involves the reaction of an amine with a on. The nitrosonium ion forms from aqueous sodium nitrite during strongly acidi The nitrosonium ion is a strong electrophile that reacts with the basic nitrogen roup. A series of protonations and deprotonations leads to the loss of water, whi le diazonium ion. Diazonium ions can be reacted with many types of salts to fo roducts. Fluorine, bromine, iodine, chlorine, and cyano groups can all be added to this way. Additionally, the NEN can be replaced with a hydrogen or an OH