The synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives in the absence of solvent and catalyst

Abstract

Differently substituted benzimidazoles have been synthesised from o-phenylenediamine and arylaldehydes or arylmethylene-malononitriles absorbed on silica gel. The reaction was carried out by intermittent grinding or by a microwave-assisted technique under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions giving good yields of the products.