Synthesis of 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles from isoselenocyanates via cyclodeselenization

An efficient one-pot method to access 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles from isoselenocyanates and hydrazides or dihydrazides was developed via cyclodeselenization. Without any harsh reagents, various 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were obtained in considerably high yields (82%-97%) and purities (>99%) directly with simple crystallization in ethanol. And the formed precipitated Se powder during the reaction could be recycled for preparation of isoselenocyanates efficiently. A plausible mechanism is proposed for the formation of the target products.