Preparation of 2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic Acids Via Regioselective Cu(I) Catalyzed N2 Arylation of Tetrazole

2-(2H-Tetrazol-2-yl)benzoic acid 1 and analogs were prepared via Cu(I) catalyzed C–N coupling of 2-iodo or 2-bromo benzoic acids with 5-(ethylthio)-1H-tetrazole followed by reductive cleavage of the thioether bond. The C–N coupling was regioselective toward the N2-position on tetrazole. The scope of this methodology was demonstrated on a series of 2-halobenzoic acid substrates in moderate yields.