Copper-mediated synthesis of substituted 2-aryl-N-benzylbenzimidazoles and 2-arylbenzoxazoles via C-H functionalization/C-N/C-O bond formation.

An efficient method for the transformation of N-benzyl bisarylhydrazones and bisaryloxime ethers to functionalized 2-aryl-N-benzylbenzimidazoles and 2-arylbenzoxazoles is described. The protocol involves a copper(II)-mediated cascade C-H functionalization/C-N/C-O bond formation under neutral conditions. Substrates having either electron-donating or -withdrawing substituents undergo the cyclization to afford the target heterocycles at moderate temperature.