Synthesis of oxadiazole derivatives from terephthalic acid

Heterocycles, particularly those containing nitrogen, play a central role in medicinal and pharmaceutical chemistry due to their widespread presence in bioactive molecules. They also occupy a key place in agrochemistry, materials science, and modern drug design. Among them, oxadiazoles, as N,N-heterocycles, are of particular interest due to their promising biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antifungal properties.

In this work, we focus on the synthesis of oxadiazole derivatives from functionalised intermediates derived from terephthalic acid, a versatile and readily available aromatic precursor widely used in the construction of nitrogen-containing heterocycles and advanced organic frameworks. Several synthetic approaches have been explored, taking advantage of the symmetry, rigidity, and reactivity inherent in this molecule to generate suitable intermediates for heterocycle formation.

Our preliminary results demonstrate that the terephthalic nucleus offers interesting structural flexibility, enabling the efficient construction of oxadiazole-based systems under mild and easily achievable conditions. In addition to classical synthetic routes, alternative strategies are also being investigated to broaden the accessible chemical space around these heterocycles.

This synthesis strategy, relying on a widely available starting material and adaptable steps, paves the way for the development of new heterocyclic compounds with potential applications in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials fields.