A two-step synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles containing a siloxy or sulfonamide group

A simple two-step route to the synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted tetrazoles containing a beta-siloxy or beta-sulfonamide group is presented. The synthesis takes place via an isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction and allows incorporation of a wide variety of substitution patterns starting from commercially available reagents. This is followed by cyclization of the ketenimines with trimethylsilyl azide without using any catalyst or activation. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.