Abstract The 1:1 imine intermediate generated by the addition of primaryamine to chloroacetone derivatives is trapped by N-isocyaniminotriphenylphosphorane in the presence of phenylacetylenecarboxylic acid, leading to the formation of the corresponding iminophosphorane intermediate. Disubstituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives are formed via intramolecular aza-Wittig reaction of the iminophosphorane