A one-pot KI/TBHP-mediated oxidative cyclization of alpha-keto acids with acylhydrazines was developed. A series of functional 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized through a tandem keto amine condensation followed by oxidative cyclization and decarboxylation reactions. This procedure was achieved under transition-metal-free conditions and showed advantages including readily available materials, mild reaction conditions and good group tolerance. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.