Silica-ferric chloride (SiO2-FeCl3) catalyzed selective synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazole through Csp2Csp3 bond cleavage of β-ketoester/amide

Silica-ferric chloride (SiO2-FeCl3) supported reagent was successfully utilized as recyclable catalyst for the general and highly efficient synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazole by the condensation of aromatic 1,2-diamine and β-ketoester/amide followed by CC bond cleavage.114