A general synthetic method for the formation of substituted 5-aminotetrazoles from thioureas: A strategy for diversity amplification

[GRAPHICS] A general method for the synthesis of 5 aminotetrazoles is outlined using the mercury(ll)-promoted attack of azide anion on a thiourea. The reaction proceeds through a guanyl azide intermediate, which undergoes electrocyclization to the tetrazole. The method is high yielding and provides access to mono-, di-, and trisubstituted 5-aminotetrazoles, targets of potential interest for combinatorial library development.