Silver-catalyzed regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition of arene-diazonium salts with 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane (CF3CHN2): a facile access to 2-aryl-5-trifluoromethyltetrazoles.

A silver-catalyzed regioselective [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of arenediazonium salts with 2,2,2-trifluorodiazoethane (CF3CHN2) is reported. Under mild conditions, a series of 2-aryl substituted 5-trifluoromethyltetrazoles were obtained in moderate to excellent yields with wide functional group compatibility. Furthermore, this cycloaddition reaction could also be performed in a one-pot diazotization/cycloaddition sequence from commercially available aniline derivatives.