Generation of hazardous methyl azide and its application to synthesis of a key-intermediate of picarbutrazox, a new potent pesticide in flow.

Generation and reactions of methyl azide (MeN3) were successfully performed by using a flow reactor system, demonstrating that the flow method serves as a safe method for handling hazardous explosive methyl azide. The reaction of NaN3 and Me2SO4 in a flow reactor gave a MeN3 solution, which was used for Huisgen reaction with benzoyl cyanide in a flow reactor after minimal washing. The resulting 1-methyl-5-benzoyltetrazole serves as a key intermediate of picarbutrazox (IX), a new potent pesticide.