l-Proline catalyzed selective synthesis of 2-aryl-1-arylmethyl-1H-benzimidazoles

l-Proline (10 mol %) was found to be a versatile organocatalyst for the selective synthesis of 2-aryl-1-arylmethyl-1H-benzimidazoles from a wide range of substituted o-phenylenediamines and aldehydes in moderate to excellent isolated yields (32-95%) under mild conditions using chloroform as a solvent at ambient temperature.