Practical Synthesis of 5-Substituted Tetrazoles under Microwave Irradiation

5-Substituted tetrazoles were prepared by treatment of nitriles with sodium azide and triethylammonium chloride in nitrobenzene in a microwave reactor. This practical method combines the advantages of previous procedures, including good-to-excellent yields, short reaction times, and easy isolation of the product. Moreover, sterically hindered tetrazoles, as well as those deactivated by electron-donating groups, can be prepared.