One-pot synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles via the addition of hydrazides to activated secondary amides.

A general approach has been developed for the one-pot synthesis of 3,4,5-trisubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles from secondary amides and hydrazides via triflic anhydride activation followed by microwave-induced cyclodehydration. In addition, the 1,2,4-triazole moiety is shown to be a useful directing group for Ru-catalyzed C-H arylation. Access to 1,2,4-triazolophenanthridine can be achieved from the reaction products using a Pd-catalyzed intramolecular C-H functionalization reaction.