Humic acid is a non toxic, inexpensive, easily available high-molecular weight polymer. A simple and facile one pot three-component synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles from aldehydes, hydroxyamine hydrochloride and sodium azide using humic acid as an efficient catalyst in water is described. The method reported has several advantages such as high to excellent yields, easy work-up, mild reaction conditions, use of water as a green solvent, and a commercially available, nontoxic and reusable catalyst.
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