α-Chymotrypsin-catalyzed synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazole through retro-Claisen reaction

ABSTRACT

Benzimidazoles are important components of pharmaceutical compounds owing to their promising bioactivities. The green, safe, and efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles has always been one of the hot topics for chemical workers. α-Chymotrypsin-catalyzed synthesis of benzimidazoles was developed by a reaction between β-keotester and o-phenylenediamine via retro-Claisen reaction. In this eco-friendly medium, a variety of benzimidazole derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields, with just 10 mg/mL α-Chymotrypsin as catalyst.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• α-Chymotrypsin
• biocatalysis
• benzimidazoles

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Lian-Sheng Liu received the master's degree from East China University of Technology in 2018. He was mainly engaged in synthesis of N-heterocyclic compounds catalyzed by protease during his graduate studies.

Zong-Bo Xie received the Ph.D. degree from Sichuan University, China, in 2013. In 2009, he was promoted to associate professor. In 2010, he was appointed as a master's tutor. In 2015, he was promoted to professor. In recent years, he has been mainly engaged in green synthesis methodologies and promiscuity studies of enzymes.

Can Zhang received the bachelor's degree from East China University of Technology in 2018.

Lei-Han Fu, master’s degree candidate of East China University of Technology.

Hai-Bo Zhu received the Ph.D. degree from Fudan University, China, in 2017. Sine then, he worked in East China University of Technology, China.

Zhang-Gao Le received the Ph.D. degree from Zhejiang University, China, in 2005. From 2003 to 2018, he was hired as a professor and is currently the director of the personnel department of East China University of Technology.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant numbers 21462001, 21262002, 21465002], the Science and Technology Projects of Jiangxi [grant number 20161BCB24006], and the Science and Technology Foundation of the Jiangxi Education Department [grant numbers KJLD14050, GJJ150584].