Studies on the Preparation of 2-Styrylbenzimidazole

Department of Chemistry, College of Engineering, J. N. T. University, Hyderabad-500 072

Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Canada B3H 4J3

Manuscript received 7 March 1997, revised 18 November 1997, accepted 5 March 1998

Studies on the preparation of 2-styrylbenzimidazole by three different methods, namely, (1) condensation of o-phenylenediamine with cinnamic acid (dehydrative cyclisation), (ii) condensation of o-phenylenediamine with cinnamaldehyde (dehydrogenative cyclisation) and (iii) condensation of 2-methylbenzimidazole with benzaldehyde (styrylation) are reported. Optimum conditions are described for the styrylation of 2-methylbenzimidazole with benzaldehyde.