The dilemma between acid and base catalysis in the synthesis of benzimidazole from o-phenylenediamine and carbon dioxide.

The dilemma between acid and base catalysis in the synthesis of benzimidazole from o-phenylenediamine and carbon dioxide.
Chem Commun (Camb). 2019 Oct 14;:
Authors: Hulla M, Nussbaum S, Bonnin AR, Dyson PJ
Abstract
The tandem synthesis of benzimidazole and other azoles can be achived by the N-formylation of ortho-substituted anilines followed by a cyclization reaction. However, CO2-based N-formylations with hydrosilane reducing agents are base catalyzed whereas the cyclization reaction is acid catalyzed. The mismatch in catalytic conditions means that only one of the steps can be catalyzed in a single pot reaction. While the N-formylation reaction is frequently the target of catalyst development, the cyclization reaction requires comparably much harsher reaction conditions. Identification of these difficulties lead us to the development of a one-pot, two-step synthesis of benzimidazole under mild reaction conditions employing acid catalysts.
PMID: 31608908 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Chemical Communications - October 13, 2019 Category: Chemistry Authors: Hulla M, Nussbaum S, Bonnin AR, Dyson PJ Tags: Chem Commun (Camb) Source Type: research