IBX-mediated one-pot synthesis of benzimidazoles from primary alcohols and arylmethyl bromides

A variety of primary alcohols are shown to be converted to the corresponding benzimidazoles in one pot by employing IBX and o-phenylenediamine in DMSO at room temperature. o-Iodobenzoic acid is the end product of IBX, which is employed in 1.0 equiv. Arylmethyl bromides are also shown to be converted likewise to benzimidazoles in moderate yields in one pot, albeit at slightly elevated temperatures.