An efficient facile and one-pot synthesis of benzodiazepines and chemoselective 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles using a magnetically retrievable Fe3O4 nanocatalyst under solvent free conditions

Abstract

Benzodiazepine and chemoselective 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized by the condensation reaction of o-phenylenediamine with ketones and aryl aldehydes using Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles as a recyclable catalyst under solvent free conditions. This synthetic approach eliminates the use of toxic organic solvents with the added benefit of easy separation and reusability of the catalyst without compromising the yield or purity which makes the procedure green.