Visible light promoted tandem dehydrogenation-deaminative cyclocondensation under aerobic conditions for the synthesis of 2-aryl benzimidazoles/quinoxalines from ortho-phenylenediamines and arylmethyl/ethyl amines

Abstract

Visible light promoted domino synthesis of 2-aryl benzimidazoles is reported through the reaction of ortho-phenylenediamines and arylmethyl amines under aerobic conditions. The methodology has wide substrate scope and tolerates a wide range of functional groups affording the products in high yields. The use of arylethyl amines instead of arylmethyl amines gives 2-aryl quinoxalines.