Indium triflate-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of 1-substituted-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles under solvent-free conditions

A simple, efficient, and general method has been developed for the synthesis of 1-substituted-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles via a three-component condensation of amine, trimethyl orthoformate, and sodium azide in presence of a catalytic amount of indium triflate under solvent-free conditions. The reaction proceeds smoothly to generate the corresponding 1-substituted tetrazoles in moderate to excellent yields under heating.