Cleavable β-Cyanoethyl Isocyanide in the Ugi Tetrazole Reaction.

β-Cyanoethyl isocyanide is introduced as a cleavable isocyanide in the Ugi tetrazole reaction. Eleven examples are described that exhibit a broad scope and are obtained in good overall yields. The obtained 1H-tetrazole scaffold is an important bioisostere for carboxylic acids, and the method described here is a valuable alternative route to known procedures.