The reaction of 2-[(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-2 H -tetrazoles with various alkyl halides and carbonates using n -butyllithium or lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) gave 2-[1-(trimethylsilyl)alkyl]-2 H -tetrazoles and (2 H -tetrazol-2-yl)acetates as useful synthons of modified tetrazoles.