An efficient method to access 2-substituted benzimidazoles under solvent-free conditions

An expeditious method to access 2-substituted benzimidazoles was developed. Both aromatic (phenols, anilines, and thiophenols) and alkyl nucleophiles (amines and thiols) react with 2-methylsulfonyl benzimidazole under solvent-free conditions to generate a variety of 2-substituted benzimidazoles.