Facile synthesis of 5-substituted-1H-tetrazoles catalyzed by reusable nickel zirconium phosphate nanocatalyst

5-Substituted-1H-tetrazoles were synthesized by the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of sodium azide with various nitriles in the presence of nickel zirconium phosphate (NiZrP) as an effective heterogeneous catalyst in dimethylsulfoxide at 120°C. This method has the advantages of good to high yields, simple methodology and easy work-up. The catalyst can be recovered by centrifuging and reused with good yields. There is no appreciable loss of catalytic activity up to five cycles. All aromatic nitriles with electron-donating group could be accomplished as well as that with electron-withdrawing groups. The structural characteristics of the catalyst are identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD instruments.