One-step synthesis of C -alkylated tetrazoles via coupling of ethers with C -sulfonylated tetrazole promoted by a photoexcited aryl ketone

Abstract A one-step synthesis of C-alkylated tetrazoles was achieved by coupling of ethers with 1-phenyl-5-methylsulfonyl-1H-tetrazole as the introducing tetrazole source in the presence of photoexcited benzophenone as the C(sp3)–H bond-cleaving agent. The present transformation proceeds via generation of an α-oxy carbon radical derived from the starting ether and can be carried out at ambient temperature even in protic solvents such as alcohol and water.