Abstract
Direct one‐step synthesis of 1,2,4‐oxadiazole from ketones, nitriles, and nitric acid is described using yttrium triflate [Y(OTf)3] as the catalyst. The salient features of this method include a simple procedure, mild condition, easy purification, and good yields.
Acknowledgment
We are grateful to the National Basic Research Program (No. 2003CB114402) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 20476098).