Synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles catalyzed by ytterbium triflate hydrate

Various 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles were synthesized from aryl nitriles, alkyl nitriles, and vinyl nitriles reacting with sodium azide. The tetrazoles were recovered in high yield under mild conditions when the reaction was catalyzed by ytterbium triflate hydrate in dimethylformamide. Other rare-earth and post-transition metal catalysts were also investigated.