A Novel Approach for the Synthesis of 5-Substituted-1H-tetrazoles

A series of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles (RCN4H) have been synthesized by cycloaddition reaction of different aryl and alkyl nitriles with sodium azide in DMSO using CuSO4 center dot 5H(2)O as catalyst. A wide variety of aryl nitriles underwent [3+2] cycloaddition to afford tetrazoles under mild reaction conditions in good to excellent yields. The catalyst used is readily available and environmentally friendly. Short reaction times, good to excellent yields, safe process and simple workup make this method an attractive and useful contribution to present organic synthesis of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles.