Preparation of 5‑Aryl-2-Alkyltetrazoles with Aromatic Aldehydes, Alkylhydrazine, Di-tert-butyl Azodicarboxylate, and [Bis(trifluoro­acetoxy)­iodo]benzene

A variety of 5-aryl-2-methyltetrazoles and 5-aryl-2-benzyltetrazoles were directly prepared in good to moderate yields by the reaction of aromatic aldehydes with methylhydrazine and benzylhydrazine, followed by treatment with di-tert-butyl azodicarboxylate and [bis­(trifluoro­acetoxy)­iodo]­benzene in a mixture of dichloromethane and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol at room temperature. The present method is a novel one-pot preparation of 5-aryl-2-methyl­tetrazoles and 5-aryl-2-benzyltetrazoles through a [2N + 2N] combination under transition metal-free and mild conditions.