Abstract A series of 5-(alkyl (1H-indol-3-yl))-2-(substituted)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazoles were efficiently synthesized by oxidative cyclisation of N′-benzylidene-(1H-indol-3-yl) alkane hydrazides using di (acetoxy) iodobenzene. N′-Benzylidene-(1H-indol-3-yl) alkane hydrazides themselves were derived from simple indole-3-carboxylic acids. The 5-(alkyl (1H- indol-3-yl))-2-(substituted)-1, 3, 4-oxadiazoles were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory ...