Thermal ring transformation of 5-aryl-2-carbazoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazole derivatives

Unstable 5-aryl-2-(3-benzylidene-2-phenylcarbazoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrazoles 8 have been prepared. By thermal ring transformation, they gave 5-aryl-2-(2-benzylidene-1-phenylhydrazino)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles 9. , Hydrazinolysis of 9 afforded 5-aryl-2-(1-phenylhydrazino)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles 10. Elimination of a molecule of benzonitrile from 9 on heating converted them into 2-anilino-5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles 11.