Direct access to 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles through organocatalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of α,β-unsaturated esters with azides

DBU-catalyzed organocatalytic 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of α,β-unsaturated esters with azides have been developed. This strategy generates 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles in high yields with high regioselectivities. It is demonstrated that some of these products can be transformed into important pharmaceutical agents.