Preparation of 5-alkylthio and 5-arylthiotetrazoles from thiocyanates using phase transfer catalysis

A very efficient method of preparation for 5-alkyl and 5-arylthiotetrazoles from the corresponding alkyl or aryl halides is described. The halides are first transformed into thiocyanates which further react with azide, yielding the corresponding tetrazoles with [2+3] polar cycloaddition. All synthetic transformations are performed under phase transfer catalytic conditions. The yields vary from good to excellent except for the preparation of 5-benzylthiotetrazole, where the reaction between benzyl thiocyanate and azide [2+3] cycloaddition is in competition with nucleophilic substitution, with benzyl azide as product.