A short route for the synthesis of 2,5-diaryl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles with rigid
connections to alkoxysilanes 7, 8, 9 via Heck reaction of the bromo compoun
d 3 with vinylalkoxysilanes 4, 5, 6, and also via palladium-catalysed vinyl
ation to the styrene 11 and cross-metathesis with vinyl silanes is describe
d. An extension of the conjugated system to 14 is possible with silyl-subst
ituted styrene 13.