A Novel Mechanistic Study on Ultrasound-Assisted, One-Pot Synthesis of Functionalized Benzimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-1(1H)-ones

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of benzimidazo[2,1-b]quinazolin-1(1H)-ones was achieved via piperidine-catalyzed three-component reaction of 2-aminobenzimidazoles, an aromatic aldehyde, and 1,3-dione in aqueous isopropanol. This mechanism was first suspected following our identification of unusual reaction intermediates in a one-pot reaction. An unprecedented coupling reaction, it involved a nucleophilic attack by 2-aminobenzimidazole on in situ generated Michael adduct, followed by electrocyclic ring formation reaction. In contrast to the commonly accepted mechanism, that the direct reaction of 2-amino benzimidazole with a Knoevenagel adduct cannot deliver target compounds.