Heterogeneous SnCl₂–nano-SiO₂ efficiently catalyzed 5-substituted 1H-tetrazole synthesis with excellent yield. The catalyst was characterized by using FT-IR, TGA, TEM, and EDX. It is widely applicable on aliphatic, aromatic, heteroaromatic and sterically hindered nitriles with five time recyclability. Being simple and an economically viable approach for the synthesis of SnCl₂–nano-SiO₂ are additional advantages.