Oxadiazole derivatives have been extensively studied in the past few decades. It is a five membered heterocyclic ring that exist in four isomeric forms. Out of its four isomers 1, 3, 4- oxadizole exhibited a wide range of biological activities which includes antibacterial, antitubercular, vasodialatory, antifungal, cytotoxic, antiinflammatory, analgesic, hypolipidemic, anticancer and ulcerogenic activities. The present review deals with the various chemical aspects of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles. It includes the a rigorous literature survey on method of preparation and physicochemical properties of the said moiety. The methods of preparation discussed in this review have an extra edge over the conventional method of the synthesis like small reaction time, higher yield and cleaner reactions. The 1,3,4,-oxadiazole have shown significant antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of microorganisms like fungi, Gram +ve and Gram –ve bacteria. Keeping this in mind the special emphasis is given on recently reported oxadiazoles possessing antimicrobial activity.