This work describes the unprecedented intramolecular
cyclization
occurring in a set of α-azido-ω-isocyanides in the presence
of catalytic amounts of sodium azide. These species yield the tricyclic
cyanamides [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxaline-5(4H)-carbonitriles, whereas in the presence of an excess of
the same reagent, the azido-isocyanides convert into the respective
C-substituted tetrazoles through a [3 + 2] cycloaddition between the
cyano group of the intermediate cyanamides and the azide anion. The
formation of tricyclic cyanamides has been examined by experimental
and computational means. The computational study discloses the intermediacy
of a long-lived N-cyanoamide anion, detected by NMR
monitoring of the experiments, subsequently converting into the final
cyanamide in the rate-determining step. The chemical behavior of these
azido-isocyanides endowed with an aryl-triazolyl linker has been compared
with that of a structurally identical azido-cyanide isomer, experiencing a conventional intramolecular [3 + 2] cycloaddition
between its azido and cyanide functionalities. The synthetic procedures
described herein constitute metal-free approaches to novel complex
heterocyclic systems, such as [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]quinoxalines and 9H-benzo[f]tetrazolo[1,5-d][1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a][1,4]diazepines.