A general synthetic method for the formation of substituted 5-aminotetrazoles from thioureas: A strategy for diversity amplification

[GRAPHICS] A general method for the synthesis of 5 aminotetrazoles is outlined using t he mercury(ll)-promoted attack of azide anion on a thiourea. The reaction p roceeds through a guanyl azide intermediate, which undergoes electrocycliza tion to the tetrazole. The method is high yielding and provides access to m ono-, di-, and trisubstituted 5-aminotetrazoles, targets of potential inter est for combinatorial library development.