In this study a series ofnew1-(2-aryl-5-phenethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-3(2H)-yl)ethanones 2a-e was synthesized by the cyclization of imines 1a-e using acetic anhydride. The products were evaluated for anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity. Among the newly synthesized compounds, 1-(2-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-5-phenethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-3(2H)-yl)ethanone (2a)and1-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-phenethyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-3(2H)-yl)ethanone (2b)were found to possess maximum activity against the tested strains of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. It was concluded that para-substitution enhances the activity of synthesized oxadiazoles.