An Electrochemical Approach for the Direct Synthesis of 3, 5-Disubstituted 1, 2, 4-Triazoles from Nitriles and Hydrazides

A highly facile, efficient and environmentally friendly protocol for the first electrochemical synthesis of 3, 5-disubstituted 1, 2, 4-triazoles from nitriles and hydrazides is reported. The reaction efficiency involves anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction, and has a good functional group tolerance. This synthetic approach is operationally simple and gives good to excellent yields under mild conditions in a one-pot procedure. It utilizes KI as the redox catalyst under external oxidant-free conditions.