Construction of Benzimidazoles and Benzoxazoles through the Molybdenum-Mediated Carbonylation of Aryl Halides

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejoc.201500803

The facile and efficient one-pot construction of benzimidazoles and benzoxazoles through the Mo(CO)₆-mediated carbonylation of aryl halides was examined. In the process, Mo(CO)₆ acted as a convenient and safe solid source of carbon monoxide. A wide range of substrates were tolerated to provide the corresponding products in fair to good yields without the need of gaseous CO or palladium catalysts. The facile and efficient one-pot construction of benzimidazoles and benzoxazoles is described. The reaction proceeds through Mo(CO)₆-mediated carbonylation of aryl halides, in which Mo(CO)₆ acts as a convenient and safe solid source of carbon monoxide.