A facile route for the synthesis of diverse range of N-acylbenzotriazole derivatives from corresponding carboxylic acids has been established through carbonyl activation pathway. In this method, trichloroacetonitrile is performed as an effective reagent for an easy access of N-acylbenzotriazoles which was simply proceed through the activation of carboxylic acids via in situ imidate formation in anhydrous 1,2 dichloroethane followed by addition of 1H-benzotriazole at 80 oC for 3-4 hours. Easy handling, one-pot, and metal-free condition demonstrate the notable merits of the devised protocol.