Convenient synthesis of N-1-alkyl benzimidazoles via Pd catalyzed C–N bond formation and cyclization

Abstract

N-1-Alkyl-2-unsubstituted benzimidazoles were directly synthesized by intermolecular coupling of formimidamides with benzylamines; the syntheses were catalyzed by Pd(OAc)₂ in one pot, giving rise to moderate to good yields. Aromatic formamidines with various substituents as starting materials could be readily prepared from the reactions of the corresponding anilines and N,N-dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal in high yields.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Aromatic formamidine
• benzimidazole
• catalysis
• cyclization
• palladium

Acknowledgments

The authors are very grateful to Professor Dr. Tiesheng Shi for helping us to polish our manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Zaozhuang University and Lunan Institute of Coal Chemical-engineering Technology Research.