Development of bioactive 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives using an MnOx/HT nanocomposite catalyst

Abstract

Benzimidazole is a vital moiety found in a wide range of naturally and pharmacologically active molecules. We prepared a proficient and facile manganese oxide-supported magnesium and aluminium-based nanocomposite catalytic framework using the deposition–precipitation method and characterised it with XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, and TGA techniques. Following that, the catalyst was used in the green synthesis of highly functional 2-substituted benzimidazole derivatives in an ethanol–water solvent system at room temperature using various assorted benzaldehydes and o-phenylenediamine as substituents. The synthesised catalyst operates efficiently and is applicable to a wide range of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substrates, resulting in good to excellent yields. The advantages of this process include the use of a greener solvent, high yield, high conversions, no use of additives or bases, a good TOF, and a shorter reaction time.