An efficient synthetic methodology for construction of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles under microwave irradiation in green medium is described. With [Cu(phen)(PPh3)2]NO3 as catalyst and H2O-isopropyl alcohol (IPA) as reaction medium, various substituted nitriles underwent (3 + 2) cycloaddition reaction with NaN3 under microwave irradiation to provide corresponding 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles in high yield. This method is not only efficient and general but also benefits from high functional group tolerance. This environmentally friendly synthetic methodology is visualized as an alternative to existing procedures, providing a simple route to privileged scaffolds.
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