Microwave promoted one-pot synthesis of 2-aryl substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives using Al3+-K10 clay as a heterogeneous catalyst

An efficient, inexpensive method is developed for the one-pot synthesis of 2-aryl substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-oxadiazoles starting from acid hydrazides and trimethyl orthoformate under solvent-free, microwave conditions using a reusable Al3+-K10 montmorillonite clay as a heterogeneous catalyst. The novelty of the present study lies in the synthesis of oxadiazole and benzimidazole moieties in a one-pot process in high yield from easily available precursors and catalysts under mild conditions.