Copper-Catalyzed Inter- and Intramolecular C-N Bond Formation: Synthesis of Benzimidazole-Fused Heterocycles

A Cu (II)-catalyzed, inter/intramolecular C-N bond formation for the synthesis of various benzimidazole-fused heterocycles in a concise manner has been reported. The robustness of this reaction is demonstrated by the synthesis of a series of benzimidazole-fused heteroaromatics (e.g., pyrido[1,2-a] benzimidazole, benzimidazo[1,2-a]quinolines, benzimidazo [1,2-a]pyrazine, benzo[4,5] imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles) directly from 2-aminoheteroarenens and 2-iodoarylboronic acids in one-pot. The novel cascade protocol for C-N bond formation operates via unique combination of Chan-Lam type coupling followed by Ullmann-type reaction.