A modern and practical laccase-catalysed route suitable for the synthesis of 2-arylbenzimidazoles and 2-arylbenzothiazoles.

Heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing an imine (C[double bond, length as m-dash]N) bond such as benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles are important active pharmaceutical ingredients. The synthesis of 2-aryl-1-benzimidazoles and 2-arylbenzothiazoles in good to excellent yields was achieved by reacting 2-aminoaromatics with various benzaldehyde derivatives catalysed by the commercial laccases Novoprime and Suberase® at room temperature and in the presence of atmospheric oxygen.