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

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.