Abstract
An environmentally benign method for the rapid and selective synthesis of 2-aryl-1-arylmethyl-1H-1,3-benzimidazoles by the reaction of o-phenylenediamines and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of 1-methylimidazolium triflouroacetate ([Hmim]TFA) at room temperature under aqueous conditions is described. The ionic liquid is reusable and could be recycled for several runs without any decrease in its efficiency.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Research Council of Shahid Beheshti University.
Notes
a The 1a/2a ratio was determined by 1H NMR analysis.
a Isolated yield.
b The products were characterized by comparison of their spectroscopic and physical data with authentic samples synthesized by reported procedures.
c IL was recycled for four runs.