Cascade Synthesis of Benzimidazole-Linked Pyrroles via Copper Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization and Ketonization.

A three-component cascade reaction of 2-aminobenzimidazole, aldehyde, and terminal alkyne has been explored for an efficient synthesis of benzimidazole-linked tetrasubstituted pyrroles. The reaction sequence involves the formation of propargylamine, insertion of a terminal alkyne, and a ring opening reaction followed by an intramolecular carbonylative cyclization under aerobic conditions. It represents a novel strategy to the construction of C═N, C═C, C═O bonds and a new five-membered 2-ketopyrrole ring.

Copper catalyzed aerobic oxidative cyclization and ketonization: one pot synthesis of benzoimidazo[1,2-a]imidazolones.

A highly efficient synthesis of benzoimidazo[1,2-a]imidazolone through a novel oxidative 5-exo-dig cyclization-ketonization cascade of 2-aminobenzimidazole, aldehyde and terminal alkyne has been explored under aerobic conditions. The reaction proceeds through copper-catalyzed addition of terminal alkynes to imines derived from 2-aminobenzimidazole with aldehyde followed by intramolecular cyclization. The atmospheric molecular oxygen acts as an oxygen source for the newly formed carbonyl group in the final product.