Iodine-promoted synthesis of CF3-substituted dihydroimidazobenzimidazole and CF3-dihydroimidazoindole via C–N bond formation

Abstract

The iodine-promoted cyclization of various N-(2-CF₃-2-NHTs)ethylbenzimidazoles and N-(2-CF₃-2-NHTs)ethylindoles proceeded smoothly and efficiently under mild basic conditions. This reaction did not require transition metals and afforded the corresponding CF₃-dihydroimidazobenzimidazoles and CF₃-dihydroimidazoindoles in 85–93% and 42–82% yields, respectively.