Preparation of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles from nitriles in water

The addition of sodium azide to nitriles to give 1H-tetrazoles is shown to proceed readily in water with zinc salts as catalysts. The scope of the reaction is quite broad; a variety of aromatic nitriles, activated and unactivated alkyl nitriles, substituted vinyl nitriles, thiocyanates, and cyanamides have all been shown to be viable substrates for this reaction.