Efficient, rapid and one pot synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazoles using the NaOH/I sub(2) system as an oxidant under mild conditions

A one-pot efficient synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives has been achieved from aryl aldehydes and o-phenylenediamine in the presence of the NaOH/I2 system at room temperature in acetonitrile. The simplicity of the procedure and work-up, larger scale synthesis, high yields and short reaction times are the advantages of this method.