Substituted benzimidazoles: A novel class of anti-tubercular agents

Reaction of O-phenylenediamine with phthalic anhydride gives 2H-benzimidazole -1-yl-3, 8 - benzpyrolidine - 2-one (I) This on condensation with anthranilic acid and 4-aminoacetophenone gives II. II on reaction with different aldehydes in presence of sodium hydroxide and ethanol stirred at room temperature for 24 h gives N-[4-(3-Aryl-acryloyl)–phenyl]–2-(1H– benzimidazol–2–yl)–benzamide (III-X). All the compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR and Mass spectral analysis. All the compounds have been evaluated for their anti-tubercular activity against different stain of mycobacterium species. Keywords: Benzimidazole, O-phenylenediamine, Tuberculastatics, Antimicrobials, Aminobenzaldehyde.