Iron-catalyzed one-pot synthesis of benzimidazoles from 2-nitroanilines and benzylic alcohols

The iron-catalyzed heterocyclizations from 2-nitroanilines and benzylic alcohols to form benzimidazoles using hydrogen transfer reaction were investigated in this study. In the presence of dppf in toluene at 150 °C, various benzimidazoles were obtained in moderate to good yields within 24 h. The reaction was proposed to proceed via a cascade of alcohol oxidation, nitro reduction, condensation, and dehydrogenation.