Carbenes may be generated by thermal decompositions of 5-substituted tetrazoles. 2 Of initial interest for study of 6 are 5-(hydroxyphenyl) tetrazoles 8 as now prepared advantageously (eq 2, 95-60%; see Experimental Section) from cyanophenols 7, sodium azide, and boron trifluoride/ethyl ether in refluxing dimethylformamide.
