A facile and highly chemoselective synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles using hierarchical nanoporous material

A highly ordered nanoporous aluminosilicate (MMZY) is prepared and employed as a catalyst for the synthesis of benzimidazoles from 1,2-diaminobenzene and aromatic aldehydes. In all the cases, the reactions are highly chemoselective and afford 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles in excellent yield. The catalyst was characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray methods and its other advantages like functional tolerance, mildness of the reaction conditions, easy separation, and reusability are also highlighted.