The reaction of benzimidazolium derivatives with superoxide

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4020(96)00313-4

1-Ethoxycarbonyl-3-methylbenzimidazolium salts, which have an electron deficient imidazolium ring and a carbamate moiety, were allowed to react with superoxide to give ring-opened products and 1-methylbenzimidazoles. The products ratio varied on the change of the counter cation species of superoxide. When 1,1',3,3'-tetramethyl-2,2'-bibenzimidazolium salt reacted with KO₂, chemiluminescence was observed which did not occur by the use of KOH or H₂O₂ as a reagent.