Parallel synthesis of 2-sulphanylated bis-benzimidazoles on soluble polymer support

Abstract

A well-sustained multistep synthetic protocol has been designed for the PEG-functionalized aromatic acid amide to generate a molecular library of 2-alkylthio bis-benzimidazoles. An attempted synthesis of benzimidazole-2-thiol in dichloromethane has led to S-chloromethyl methyl sulfides, mimicking bacterial enzymatic systems. Regioselective S-alkylation was brought about under controlled conditions using a mild base at room temperature. The polymer-free compounds, 2-sulfanylated bisbenzimidazoles, were obtained in high yields and high purities. Chemical shift changes in proton and carbon NMR-have been employed to monitor the progress of the reaction steps and to prove the site of S-alkylation, respectively.