Acyclic analogs of nucleosides. Synthesis of hydroxyalkyl derivatives of 2-trifluoromethyl- and 2-trifluoromethylthiobenzimidazole.

1-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)-, 1-(4-hydroxy-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(3-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxy-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(1,5-dihydroxy-3-oxa-2-pentyl)-, 1-(5-hydroxy-3-oxa-2-pentyl)-, and 1-(4,5-dihydroxy-2-oxapentyl)-2-trifluoromethyl- and -2-trifluoromethylthiobenzimidazoles were obtained by condensation of trimethylsilyl derivatives of 2-substituted benzimidazoles with alkylating agents in the presence of SnCl, or by direct alkylation of the sodium salts of the heterocycles.