Some 3-(5-substituted phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-pyridines (IV) have been synthesized by treating aromatic acids with pyridine-3-carboxylic acid hydrazide (III) in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride. The structures of the compounds have been established on the basis of their analytical and spectral data. All the compounds have been screened for their antimicrobial activity. © 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.