One-Pot Synthesis of 2,5-Diaryl 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles via Di-tert-butyl Peroxide Promoted N-Acylation of Aryl Tetrazoles with Aldehydes.

A metal- and base-free protocol for one-pot synthesis of 2,5-diaryl 1,3,4-oxadiazoles via a radical-promoted cross-dehydrogenative coupling strategy was developed. This reaction involved the N-acylation of aryl tetrazoles with aryl aldehydes, followed by thermal rearrangement. A wide range of aryl tetrazoles and aryl aldehydes survived the reaction conditions to deliver the corresponding products in moderate to good yields.