Various amides, including some with bulky substituents, are prepared in good yields from free carboxylic acids and amines under mild conditions by a one-step method using new condensing agents 2-halo-2, 3-dihydro-1, 3, 4, 2-oxadiazaphospholes, especially 5-methyl- 2-chloro-3-phenyl-2, 3-dihydro-1, 3, 4, 2-oxadiazaphosphole.