Additive Free Greener Synthesis of 1,2-Disubstituted Benzimidazoles Using Aqueous Extract of Acacia concinna Pods as an Efficient Surfactant Type Catalyst

Abstract

An efficient environmentally benign method for the synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives via one-pot multicomponent has been reported using aqueous extract of Acacia concinna pods as a naturally occurring surfactant type catalyst. The present surfactant medium was found superior and additive free for the condensation of o-phenylene diamine and two equivalent of aldehyde to yield 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives in excellent yields under mild conditions. A simple, economically viable and biocompatible catalytic system suggested the possible utility of the present protocol for the large scale construction of benzimidazole derivatives.

Keywords:

• Acacia concinna
• 12-disubstituted benzimidazoles
• green methodology
• multi-component reaction
• natural surfactants