Synthesis and structure of benzimidazo[1,2-c][1,2,3]thiadiazoles: first examples of a novel ring system

(1-Amino-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methanol 1 with thionyl chloride at reflux afforded 3-chlorobenzimidazo[1,2-c][1,2,3]thiadiazole 4, which reacted with various nucleophiles to give different products depending on the nature of the solvent. The structures of 4 and di(benzimidazo[1,2-c][1,2,3]thiadiazol-3-yl)sulfide 8 were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analysis.