Easy preparation of 1,4,5-trisubstituted 5-(2-alkoxy-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1,2,3-triazoles by chemoselective trapping of copper(I)–carbon bond with alkoxalyl chloride

We found that alkoxalyl chloride (ClCOCO2R) did not carry out an acylation on 1-copper(I) alkyne in solvent without additives, but chemoselectively on 5-copper(I) 1,2,3-triazole (an intermediate in cycloaddition of 1-copper(I) alkyne and azide). Thus, a one-pot preparation of 1,4,5-trisubstituted 5-(2-alkoxy-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1,2,3-triazole was achieved by simply stirring the mixture of 1-copper(I) alkyne, azide, and alkoxalyl chloride at room temperature for 4 h.