Surfactant-Assisted Syntheses of Benzimidazole Derivatives in Aqueous Media

A simple and efficient method for synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles has been developed by a one-pot reaction of o-phenylenediamine with aryl aldehydes in the presence of sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) in aqueous medium at ambient temperature without any organic solvent. The optimum SLES loading was observed at 15 mol%. The procedure is simple and the expected benzimidazole compounds were isolated in good yields. The present method provides the advantages of convenience, energy-saving eco-friendliness, mild reaction conditions, and no use of hazardous solvents.