TRIMETHYLSILYL CHLORIDE CATALYZED SYNTHESIS OF SUBSTITUTED BENZIMIDAZOLES USING TWO PHASE SYSTEM UNDER MICROWAVE CONDITIONS, AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL STUDIES

A convenient method using TMSCl (20 mol %) and microwave-induced technique for the synthesis of various benzimidazole is described. This has reduced the reaction time drastically as well as improved the yield when compared to conventional heating. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against four strains each. Preliminary results indicated that, compounds 3e, 3f, 3g, 3k, 3m, 3n and 3o demonstrated very good antimicrobial activity, comparable to the first line standard drugs. The most effective compounds have exhibited activity at MIC of 6.25 μg/mL.