Abstract
We report the effectiveness of the surface modified γ-Al2O3 which is
reusable, efficient, catalytic, safe and environmentally acceptable procedure for
the conversion of both alkyl and aryl nitriles into the corresponding
5-substituted-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles via [3+2] cycloaddition with sodium azide in
excellent yields at mild reaction conditions (50 °C). The catalyst also afforded
1-substituted-1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles by the reaction of amines, sodium azide and
triethyl orthoformate. The catalyst could be recycled and was reused eleven runs
without losing its activity.