A Novel Synthetic Route to 2-Aryl-2H-Benzotriazole 1-Oxides

Abstract
The reaction of benzofuroxan 1 with sodium or potassium salts of formanilides 2 affords 2-aryl-2H-benzotriazole 1-oxides 3 in moderate to good yields. By heating the reactants in toluene or DMSO formal O/N exchange with elimination of alkali formate takes place.