Microwave-assisted Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Benzimidazole Thiazolinone Derivatives

A rapid and efficient microwave-assisted synthesis method for the preparation of 3-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-2-substituted phenyl thiazolidin-4-one (4a, 4b) was described. The structures of 4a and 4b were determined by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR and X-ray diffraction. In the crystals of compounds 4a and 4b, the imidazole ring and two benzene rings are planar. Interestingly, the dihedral angle between two benzene rings is 71.5° in 4a, while it is almost perpendicular in 4b due to the different benzene substituents. Meanwhile, the thiazolidinone ring is planar in 4a while slightly distorted with an r.m.s deviation of 0.1494(2) in 4b. The hydrogen bonding interactions observed link the molecules to form a dimeric unit, which may be effective in the stabilization of the structure.