Ruthenium-Catalyzed meta-Selective C-H Nitration of Biologically Important Aryltetrazoles

The first example of tetrazole-directed meta-selective C-H nitration is described. This transformation provided a straightforward approach for the synthesis of biologically important m-nitroaryltetrazoles in moderate to excellent yields with good functional group compatibility. In addition, new metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors were obtained by further transformation of the synthesized m-nitroaryltetrazoles.