A cobalt nitrate/hydrogen peroxide system as an efficient reagent for the synthesis of 2-aryl benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles

Benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles show significant and promising activities against various viruses such as HIV and HCMV-1. Their synthesis using cobalt nitrate and hydrogen peroxide in N,N-dimethylformamide has been presented in the following study. The cobalt nitrate/H2O2 appears to be a smooth and efficient reagent system for the synthesis of 2-aryl substituted benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles. Simple and convenient reaction procedures and shorter reaction times are the salient features of the presented route.