Hydrotrope Induced Catalysis in Water: A Clean and Green Approach for the Synthesis of Medicinally Relevant Bis(indolyl)methanes and 2-Aryl Benzimidazoles

Abstract

An efficient synthesis of medicinally relevant bis(indolyl)methanes and 2-aryl benzimidazoles has been achieved in an aqueous hydrotropic solution at ambient temperature. Substantial enhancements in the rates of the reactions along with easy recovery of the products were noted. Additionally, the aqueous hydrotropic solution could be reused for several cycles with modest change in yields of products.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• 2-Aryl benzimidazoles
• bis(indolyl)methanes
• green solvents
• hydrotropes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Department of Science Technology and the University Grants Commission for Funding for Infrastructure in Science and Technology and SAP, respectively.

Notes

^a All products were characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy.

^b Isolated yields after chromatography.

^a All products were characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy.

^b Isolated yields after chromatography.

^c Literature values in parenthesis.

^a All products were characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy.

^b Isolated yields after chromatography.

^c Literature values in parentheses.