Silica-Supported Ferric Chloride (FeCl3-SiO2): An Efficient and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Preparation of Arylaminotetrazoles

An efficient method for preparation of 5-arylamino-1H-tetrazole and 1-aryl-5-amino-1H-tetrazole derivatives is reported using FeCl₃-SiO₂ as an effective heterogeneous catalyst. Generally, when the substituent in arylcyanamide is a strongly electron-withdrawing group, the position of the equilibrium would shift toward 5-arylamino-1H-tetrazole, whereas with an electron-releasing substituent, the position of the equilibrium would shift toward 1-aryl-5-amino-1H-tetrazole.