Copper-catalyzed synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles via the [3+2] cycloaddition of nitriles and trimethylsilyl azide

The [3+2] cycloaddition between various nitrites and trimethylsityl azide proceeds smoothly in the presence of a Cu(I) catalyst in DMF/MeOH, to give the corresponding 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles in good to high yields. The reaction most probably proceeds through the in situ formation of a copper azide species, followed by a successive [3+2] cycloaddition with the nitrites. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.