CuFe2O4 nanoparticles: a magnetically recoverable and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles

An efficient and economical protocol for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles from various nitriles and sodium azide is described using magnetically recoverable and reusable CuFe2O4 nanoparticles. A wide variety of aryl nitriles underwent [2+3] cycloaddition under mild reaction conditions to afford tetrazoles in good to excellent yields. The catalyst was magnetically separated and reused five times without significant loss of catalytic activity.