M. Begtrup et P. Vedso, PREPARATION OF N-HYDROXYAZOLES BY OXIDATION OF AZOLES, Journal of the Chemical Society. Perkin transactions. I, (3), 1995, pp. 243-247
Azoles without N-substituents are oxidized with per-acids or perborate
to the corresponding isomers separated through N-hydroxy substituted
azoles. 1,2,4-Triazole and tetrazole produce two their O-benzyl deriva
tives. Imidazole and 1,2,3-and 1,2,4-triazole can be di-oxygenated in
low yields. N-Hydroxypyrazole is deoxygenated by per-acid.