Abstract
2-Aroylaminobenzimidazoles (2) have been converted into 1(2-benzimidazolyl)-5-aryl-1H-tetrazoles (4) by treatment with PCl5 followed by azidation with NaN3 in aqueous acetone solution. Pyrolysis of 4 in diphenylether yielded 2-aryl-1H-s-triazolo [1,5-a] benzimidazoles (6). The product of benzylation of 6a has been characterised. A reasonable pathway for the formation of 6 from 4 has been suggested.