NaI-Mediated Electrochemical Cyclization-Desulfurization for the Synthesis of N-Substituted 2-Aminobenzimidazoles

J Org Chem. 2024 Feb 2;89(3):1591-1608. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.3c02212. Epub 2023 Dec 15.

Abstract

An electrochemical method for the synthesis of N-substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles through a NaI-mediated desulfurization-cyclization process is reported. This electrosynthesis method utilizes cost-effective NaI as both a mediator and an electrolyte in a catalytic amount (0.2 equiv), replacing traditional oxidizing reagents. N-Substituted o-phenylenediamines and isothiocyanates undergo a thiourea formation/cyclization/desulfurization process to provide N-substituted 2-aminobenzimidazoles (55 examples, up to 98% yield) in a single reaction vessel. Importantly, this electrochemical methodology is applicable to gram-scale synthesis, maintaining reaction efficiency.