Lewis Acid Catalyzed Conversion of Alkenes and Alcohols to Azides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00196a025

Hydrazoic acid, though unreactive to alkenes, adds readily to enol ethers.In the presence of Lewis acids, in particular TiCl4, addition takes place readily to phenylethylenes or 1,1-disubstituted ethylenes to produce alkyl azides.Regiochemical, electronic, and steric influences were explored.TiCl4 also served to catalyze conversion of benzyl or tertiary alcohols to azides.Monosubstituted alkenes or primary alcohols are not affected.