Simple and efficient synthesis of 5‐substituted 1‐H‐tetrazoles using metal‐modified clay catalysts

The synthesis of 5‐substituted 1‐H‐tetrazoles based on reaction of a series of aromatic nitriles with sodium azide was investigated. The reaction was catalyzed by modified montmorillonite K‐10 including Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ metal ions. The best results obtained by Mont‐K10‐Cu catalyst. The catalysts were reused several times without loss of their activity. The present procedure offers advantages such as a shorter reaction time, simple workup, recovery, and reusability of the catalyst. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 22:168–173, 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/hc.20672