Additive- and Oxidant-Free Expedient Synthesis of Benzimidazoles Catalyzed by Cobalt Nanocomposites on N-Doped Carbon

A one-pot direct synthesis of a wide range of biologically active benzimidazoles through coupling of phenylenediamines and aldehydes catalyzed by a highly recyclable nonnoble cobalt nanocomposite was developed. A broad set of benzimidazoles can be efficiently synthesized in high yields and with good functional-group tolerance under additive- and oxidant-free mild conditions. The catalyst can be easily recycled for successive uses, and the process permits gram-scale syntheses of benzimidazoles.