Tetrazole Synthesis via Cyclopropenium Phase-Transfer Catalysis: A Click Strategy

Morden organic synthesis prizes efficiency, robustness, and generality─hallmarks of click chemistry. Here, we introduce a metal-free catalytic method for synthesizing diverse tetrazole heterocycles from simple, shelf-stable precursors. Central to this powerful strategy is leveraging cyclopropenium ions as phase-transfer catalysts, providing a practical and efficient approach to tetrazoles from nitriles and azides. The scope, mechanism, and synthetic utility of this methodology are detailed, highlighting its potential to expand the click chemistry tool box for heterocycle synthesis.