Metal catalyst free one-pot synthesis of 2-arylbenzimidazoles from α-aroylketene dithioacetals

An efficient green synthetic approach has been developed towards the synthesis of 2-aryl substituted benzimidazoles from α-aroylketene dithioacetals (AKDTAs) 1 and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) 2. The reaction has been achieved in water with a catalytic amount of acetic acid. 2-Arylbenzimidazoles have been synthesized in remarkable yields under both thermal and microwave conditions. The metal catalyst free condition makes this transformation very green, practical and attractive.