A novel and practical synthesis of substituted 2-ethoxy benzimidazole: candesartan cilexetil

A novel and practical synthetic route for the preparation of candesartan cilexetil from methyl 2-amino-3-nitrobenzoate is described. The key steps are the reaction of methyl 2-bromo-3-(diethoxymethyleneamino)benzoate with (2′-(1-trityl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl) biphenyl-4-yl) methanamine and the final formation of 2-ethoxy benzimidazole ring via intramolecular N-arylation. The final ring closure process could be utilized to prepare other 2-substituted benzimidazoles. The method is simple for operation and suitable for industrial production.