Zn2+-K10-clay (clayzic) as an efficient water-tolerant, solid acid catalyst for the synthesis of benzimidazoles and quinoxalines at room temperature

A very simple, green and efficient protocol is developed in which zinc chloride-exchanged K10-montmorillonite (clayzic) is employed as a Lewis acid catalyst in aqueous media at room temperature for the synthesis of various benzimidazoles and quinoxalines from carbonyl compounds and o-phenylenediamine. Among the various catalysts (including claycop and Zn2+–Y) studied, clayzic produces benzimidazoles and quinoxalines in higher yield, and with a flexible diamine such as ethylenediamine only the bis-Schiff base is formed. Other salient features of this protocol include milder conditions, atom-economy, absence of coupling agents, and no wastes.