Ligand-free copper-catalyzed synthesis of substituted benzimidazoles, 2-aminobenzimidazoles, 2-aminobenzothiazoles, and benzoxazoles.

The synthesis of substituted benzimidazoles, 2-aminobenzimidazoles, 2-aminobenzothiazoles, and benzoxazoles is described via intramolecular cyclization of o-bromoaryl derivatives using copper(II) oxide nanoparticles in DMSO under air. The procedure is experimentally simple, general, efficient, and free from addition of external chelating ligands. It is a heterogeneous process and the copper(II) oxide nanoparticles can be recovered and recycled without loss of activity.