Acyclic analogs of nucleosides. Synthesis of hydroxyalkylbenzimidazoles and -benzotriazoles

Condensation of trimethylsilyl derivatives of benzimidazole and benzotriazole with alkylating agents in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate or SnCl4, or direct alkylation of the sodium salts of benzimidazole and benzotriazole, gives 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-, 1-(3-hydroxy-2-oxabutyl)-, 1-(3-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxy-2-oxabutyl)-, and 1-(1,5-dihydroxy-3-oxapent-2-yl)benzimidazole and -benzotriazole.