Copper-catalyzed intramolecular C-N bond formation: a straightforward synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives in water.

A straightforward, efficient, and more sustainable copper-catalyzed method has been developed for intramolecular N-arylation providing the benzimidazole ring system. With Cu(2)O (5 mol %) as the catalyst, DMEDA (10 mol %) as the ligand, and K(2)CO(3) as the base, this protocol was applied to synthesize a small library of benzimidazoles in high yields. Remarkably, the reaction was exclusively carried out in water, rendering the methodology highly valuable from both environmental and economical points of view.