Bis(tetrazolyl)acetones have been obtained instead of the expected 2,5
-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from interaction of 5-substituted tet
razoles with chlorides of tetrazolylacetic acids. The mechanism of the
reaction is suggested to include N-acyl-intermediate heterolysis resu
lting in acyl-cation formation followed by transacylation of the methy
lene group in the second molecule of the acyl halide.