Phosphine-mediated annulation of N-protected imines with DEAD

In the presence of triphenylphosphine, the reactions of N-protected imines or their precursors with DEAD proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding functionalized 1H-1,2,4-triazole-1,4(5H)-dicarboxylate derivatives in good to high yields under mild conditions. A plausible mechanism has been proposed on the basis of the control experiments.