A facile one-step procedure for the preparation of 4,4′-bis-1,2,4-triazole is reported. Direct transamination of N,N-dimethylformamide azine dihydrochloride by heating with 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole in refluxing benzene readily yields the target molecule in short duration of time with significant yield (73%). This catalyst-free method was extended to synthesise a series of 4-substituted 1,2,4-triazoles of potential interest in coordination chemistry.
amines - amino acids - ligands - transamination - 4,4′-bis-1,2,4-triazole