Supramolecular Catalysis in the Synthesis of Substituted 1H-Tetrazoles from Isonitriles by a Self-Assembled Hexameric Capsule

The synthesis of substituted 1H-tetrazoles from aliphatic or aromatic isonitriles and trimethylsilyl azide can be efficiently promoted by the hexameric capsule of resorcin[ 4]arene as a supramolecular self-assembled catalyst. The reaction is sensitive to the size and nature of the substrate and is driven by encapsulation of the reagents within the cavity of the supramolecular catalyst.