Microwave-assisted expeditious approach towards benzimidazole acrylonitrile derivatives exploring a new silica supported SBPTS catalystElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c8nj01436a

The present study reports a simple, highly efficient and green approach for the synthesis of a series of benzimidazole-acrylonitrile derivatives 3(a-l) . The synthetic methodology involves a microwave-assisted reaction exploring novel silica-supported SBPTS as a heterogeneous, proficient and reusable catalyst resulting in excellent yields. The reaction transformation presumably occurs via a Knoevenagel condensation. The significant features of the present protocol includes a simple operational procedure, shorter reaction times, mild reaction conditions, economic viability, high yield of products and compatibility with a range of functional groups (electron donating/electron withdrawing). An efficient and eco-friendly synthesis of benzimidazole-acrylonitrile derivatives.