CuO Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed Diaminations for Synthesis of Benzimidazole Derivatives.

Copper oxide nanoparticles have been applied as an efficient catalyst for the formation of C–N bonds. They can catalyze diaminations for the regiospecific synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles from 1,2-dihaloarenes and N-arylamidines. The best performance has been achieved using CuO nanoparticles with average diameter of 6.5 nm. In addition, the catalyst can be recycled and reused without any significant decrease in catalytic activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.