Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-1(1H)-ones was achieved via piperidine-catalyzed three-component reaction of 2-aminobenzimidazoles, an aromatic aldehyde, and 1,3-dione in aqueous isopropanol. This mechanism was first suspected following our identification of unusual reaction intermediates in a one-pot reaction. An unprecedented coupling reaction, it involved a nucleophilic attack by 2-aminobenzimidazole on in situ generated Michael adduct, followed by electrocyclic ring formation reaction. In contrast to the commonly accepted mechanism, that the direct reaction of 2-amino benzimidazole with a Knoevenagel adduct cannot deliver target compounds.

A mechanistic study of three-component reactions of various aromatic amines with a number of aldehydes and 1,3-diones was achieved. The unprecedented reaction involved a nucleophilic attack of an aromatic amine on the in situ generated Michael adduct intermediate followed by six-electron ring cyclizations. It is contrary to the common belief that advocates involvement of coupling reactions between a Knoevenagel adduct and an aromatic amine to deliver substituted tetrahydroacridinones.

A one-pot, two-step synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]benzimidazoles has been achieved by a three-component reaction of 2-aminobenzimidazoles with an aromatic aldehyde and an isocyanide. The reaction involving condensation of 2-aminobenzimidazole with an aldehyde is run under microwave activation to generate an imine intermediate under basic conditions which then undergoes [4 + 1] cycloaddition with an isocyanide.

A concise synthesis of 2-(2-aminothiophene)benzimidazoles by one-pot multicomponent reaction3

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