A Comprehensive Review on Synthetic Approaches and Biological Activities of 1,3,4-oxadiazole

Among the large variety of nitrogen and oxygen heterocycles, 1,3,4-oxadiazole scaffold has attracted considerable attention owing to its ability to perform an extensive range of pharmacological actions. Therefore, significant efforts of organic chemists have been directed towards the construction of new drug candidates containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole subunits connected to a known pharmaceutical or a potential pharmacophore. This paper highlights recent publications on the various synthesis techniques of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and related compounds over the previous ten years (2011–2021). The purpose of this review is to present several ways for synthesizing oxadiazole. These heterocyclics are formed mainly by the cyclization reactions of various reactants under diverse conditions. A high priority is given to these heterocyclics in literature investigations due to their pharmacological significance, such as their anticonvulsant, anticancer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antidiabetic activities, etc.