BnZ is a bicyclic heterocyclic aromatic compound which is made up of benzene and imidazole rings bonded at 4- and 5-positions. Ortho-phenylene derivatives of BnZ such as methyl-o-phenylenediamine are known as benzoglyoxalines. Recently, several researchers have described various techniques for synthesizing 1- or 1, 2-disubstituted BnZ derivatives by employing various moieties in various reaction environments [4]. Initially, BnZ was synthesized as a 2,5-dimethyl-benzimidazole (III) in 1872 by Hoebrecker [5] through the reduction of 2-nitro-4-methylacetanilide (I) using tin (Sn) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), followed by the dehydration of 2-nitro-4-methylacetanilide(II), as explained in Scheme 1. Details regarding the specific reaction conditions are provided elsewhere [6].

BnZ synthesis proceeds by choosing benzene derivatives that have nitrogen-containing functionalities at ortho positions to each other, e.g., orthophenylenediamine (Figure 1). It is evident that the starting material must have the functionality to enable the preparation of BnZ using a variety of techniques. Ortho-phenylenediamine and its derivatives undergo a condensation process with carboxylic acids or aldehydes. Therefore, several BnZ synthesis processes have been categorized based on the basic nature of o-phenylenediamine [7]. The direct condensation of orthophenylenediamine with nitriles has much use in the synthesis of benzimidazoles as well as in the manufacture of benzimidazole-related agricultural and pharmaceuticals chemicals because nitriles are easily accessible due to their broad supply as commodity chemicals [8].

The most typical synthetic approach for producing several BnZ derivatives is known as Phillip’s method, which entails the condensation of o-phenylenediamine (IV) with carboxylic acids (V) itself or its derivatives, and which involves heating the reagents in the presence of concentrated HCl (Scheme 2).

A number of new modified BnZ derivatives have been synthesized, having a furan substituent at the second position and an alkyl/aryl substituent at the first position, which further was tested by an in silico study [9].

Several synthetic tactics have been successfully implemented, which are described in Figure 2 for the production of BnZ [A]. A combination of ortho-substituted aniline [B] and bifunctional o-esters produced a BnZ derivative in 2012, according to Bastug et al. [10]. Utilizing heterocyclic aromatic compounds like H₂NC₆H₄NO₂ with CH₂O₂, iron powder, and ammonium chloride, proceeded by the one pot reduction of NO₂ followed by imidazole cyclisation [C] into bicyclic 2-H BnZ, was one method used by Hanan et al. (2010) [11]. Yang et al. developed a new method for the one-step synthesis of 2-substituted -N-H, -N-alkyl, and -N-aryl BnZ derivatives in the presence of aldehydes and sodium dithionite through the reduction of o-nitroanilines [D], succeeding in synthesizing BnZ [12]. Another approach for the synthesis of 2-substituted BnZ was published by Cui et al. in 2012 for producing 1,2-phenylenediamines and triacyloxyborane intermediates, which were produced via the interaction between carboxylic acids [E] and borane-THF, to yield 2-substituted BnZ [13]. N-methyl-1,2-phenylenediamine, sodium hydride, and carbonitriles [F] were used as the starting ingredients by Sluiter and Christoffers in 2009 [14]. Wray synthesized [1] 1H-indazoles from common arylamino oximes in 2010 in the presence of several bases, but the synthesis of BnZ was only improved by one base, i.e., triethylamine [G] [15]. Cuprous oxide, potassium carbonate, (CH₃NH)₂C₂H₄, and water [H] were used by Peng et al. to synthesize cost-effective and environmentally friendly BnZ [16]. Ortho-bromoaryl compounds are cyclized intramolecularly using cuprous oxide nanoparticles like a catalyst [I]. Saha et al. were able to synthesize substituted BnZ and 2-aminobenzimidazole. The catalyst might also be restored without altering its activity, in addition, with this method [17]. CuI/l-proline was applied by Diao et al. as a catalyst to condense 2-iodoacetanilides and aqueous ammonia for cyclization to create substituted 1H-BnZ by applying heat under acidic circumstances [18]. Kim et al. produced BnZ derivatives by condensation as well as the formation of C-N bonds. Sodium azide, RCHO [J] and 2-haloanilines are active as initial ingredients in one-pot synthesis [19]. Tao Zhang initially presented a model for the reaction of BnZ with [K] (10 mmol) and benzonitrile (NC-R) in a mixture of 20 mL PPA (polyphosphoric acid) and 10 mL H₃PO₄ under microwave irradiation (MC 275 W, 15 min), with a yield of 92% [20].

Several synthetic tactics have been successfully implemented, which are described in Figure 2 for the production of BnZ [A]. A combination of ortho-substituted aniline [B] and bifunctional o-esters produced a BnZ derivative in 2012, according to Bastug et al. [10]. Utilizing heterocyclic aromatic compounds like H₂NC₆H₄NO₂ with CH₂O₂, iron powder, and ammonium chloride, proceeded by the one pot reduction of NO₂ followed by imidazole cyclisation [C] into bicyclic 2-H BnZ, was one method used by Hanan et al. (2010) [11]. Yang et al. developed a new method for the one-step synthesis of 2-substituted -N-H, -N-alkyl, and -N-aryl BnZ derivatives in the presence of aldehydes and sodium dithionite through the reduction of o-nitroanilines [D], succeeding in synthesizing BnZ [12]. Another approach for the synthesis of 2-substituted BnZ was published by Cui et al. in 2012 for producing 1,2-phenylenediamines and triacyloxyborane intermediates, which were produced via the interaction between carboxylic acids [E] and borane-THF, to yield 2-substituted BnZ [13]. N-methyl-1,2-phenylenediamine, sodium hydride, and carbonitriles [F] were used as the starting ingredients by Sluiter and Christoffers in 2009 [14]. Wray synthesized [1] 1H-indazoles from common arylamino oximes in 2010 in the presence of several bases, but the synthesis of BnZ was only improved by one base, i.e., triethylamine [G] [15]. Cuprous oxide, potassium carbonate, (CH₃NH)₂C₂H₄, and water [H] were used by Peng et al. to synthesize cost-effective and environmentally friendly BnZ [16]. Ortho-bromoaryl compounds are cyclized intramolecularly using cuprous oxide nanoparticles like a catalyst [I]. Saha et al. were able to synthesize substituted BnZ and 2-aminobenzimidazole. The catalyst might also be restored without altering its activity, in addition, with this method [17]. CuI/l-proline was applied by Diao et al. as a catalyst to condense 2-iodoacetanilides and aqueous ammonia for cyclization to create substituted 1H-BnZ by applying heat under acidic circumstances [18]. Kim et al. produced BnZ derivatives by condensation as well as the formation of C-N bonds. Sodium azide, RCHO [J] and 2-haloanilines are active as initial ingredients in one-pot synthesis [19]. Tao Zhang initially presented a model for the reaction of BnZ with [K] (10 mmol) and benzonitrile (NC-R) in a mixture of 20 mL PPA (polyphosphoric acid) and 10 mL H₃PO₄ under microwave irradiation (MC 275 W, 15 min), with a yield of 92% [20].

Metal catalysts have a few features, including the fact that they can be recovered. Catalysts have surface efficiency for catalyzing reactions and further increase overall reaction rate. Indium [III]triflate was used as a reusable catalyst by De et al., in 2006 which described the synthesis of MSBs (IX-a) with high yields. The synthesis of 2-substituted BnZ without solvent occurs by the fusion of o-phenylenediamine (VII) with aldehydes [where R = benzaldehyde (VIII)] utilizing a catalytic quantity of In(OTf)₃. VII and VIII were combined in a 1:1.1 molar ratio and heated up to atmospheric temperature for 30 minutes to perform the reactions. They also used various catalysts, such as Copper [II]triflate, Lutetium[III]trifluoromethanesulfonate, Indium[III]trifluoromethanesulfonate and La(OTf)_3. Among these, the most recently used catalysts gave the highest output. The process is depicted in Scheme 3 [21].

Fu et al., described the method for the synthesis of 2-substituted 1H-BnZ (XIII a-b) in dimethyl sulfoxide using cesium carbonate as a base and 10 mol % Copper[I] bromide as a catalyst. The optimized yield of 2-substituted 1H-BnZ (XIII-c) using this approach was obtained by coupling, hydrolysis, and the intra-molecular cyclization of o-haloacetanilide (X) derivatives with amidines (XI). o-iodoacetanilide is required for the N-arylation of amidines at 60 °C to yield XIII-a, whereas o-bromoacetanilide required a high temperature of 90 °C to yield XIII-b and XIII-c., which is displayed in Scheme 4 [22].

In 2013, Nguyen et al. described a process using iron-sulfur as a catalyst to synthesize the BnZ derivative (XVI). For the synthesis of XVI, 4-picoline (XV) and substituted o-nitroanilines (XIV) were used as reactants, and the reaction was carried out at 150 °C under solvent-free conditions using an equimolecular amount of an Fe/S catalyst. Fe/S played a crucial role for promoting the cyclization process. Pyridine and quinoline derivatives possess a methyl group at the 2- or 4-position (XV) and are coupled with XIV to form derivative MSBs (XVI a-c), where all other suitable substrates in the reaction along with o-nitroaniline synthesize the corresponding benzimidazole products XVI-a-b with yields of 83-91%, if o-Nitroanilines have electron-donating and withdrawing substituents on its benzene ring. There are methyl groups of picolines in elemental Chloride (XVI-c), as depicted in Scheme 5 [23].

Sun et al. (2017) described a procedure for the feasible condensation of phenylhydrosilicon, o-phenylenediamine (XVII) and dimethylformamide (XVIII). According to this scheme, hydrosilicon is utilized as a reaction catalyst, activating the carbonyl group of di-methylformamide to make an Si–O bond at 120 °C for 12 hours. An amine-group in o-phenylenediamine was coupled with activated DMF-hydrosilicon mixture, and further undergoes cyclization, succeeding in the excellent synthesis of BnZ (XIX), as shown in Scheme 6 [24].

A dehydrogenation reaction, using cobalt-pincer complexes (XXII) as a catalyst, was carried out at 150 °C for 24 hours by Milstein et al. (2017). Primary alcohol (XXI) and o-phenylenediamine (XX) were combined to synthesize the 2-MSB derivative (XXIII) (Scheme 7) [25].

A one-pot synthesis with an exceptional yield was reported by Nguyen et al. in 2012 under dry and metal-free conditions to obtain XXX–XXXIV. In this method, the reaction was completed with trialkyl amine (triethylamine) (XXVIII), benzene-1,2-diamine (XXIX), and derivatives of phenylmethanamines (XXIV–XXVII). Sulphur atoms helped to proceed the reaction for generating C–N bonds, and the researchers succeeded in its cyclization (Scheme 8) [26].

Shanmugam et al. described the efficient metal-free synthesis of aryl-substituted BnZ (XXXVII-a) through the use of acetic acid as a catalyst under microwave heating conditions. This synthesis involves the reaction of o-phenylenediamine (XXXVI) with a substituted aromatic aldehyde (XXXV). Shown in Scheme 9, the reaction is entirely free from metals, as well as using environmentally friendly green solvent [27].

Liu et al. described a metal–free process for the preparation of N-substituted BnZ (XL) under microwave irradiation. The improved yield is produced when fluoro-aryl formamidines (XXXVIII) with primary amines (XXXIX) undergo an S_N–Ar reaction [28]. (Scheme 10).

Mostafavi et al. published a method in 2018 for BnZ biosynthesis. Hexamethyldisilazane regulated the reaction at 120 °C, and transformed o-phenylenediamine (XLI) and N,N-Dimethylformamide into BnZ. There is no need for any acid, transition metal, or fluid for proceeding the reaction to achieve good yields XLIII (Scheme 11) [29].

In the presence of 5ml of dilute hydrochloric acid solution, o-phenylenediamine (XLV) and Ibuprofen (XLIV) are used to produce a BnZ variant XLVI. Further, the mixture was heated in a water bath at 100 °C for two hours with the slow addition of 10% sodium hydroxide, as shown in Scheme 12. The researchers discovered that BnZs have very strong antimicrobial properties [30].

Most chemical organizations or industries, including pharma-enterprises, are now coping with mild ecological issues, like excessive solvent, chemicals waste, and the use of catalysts in the production of BnZ. Green synthesis mediates solvent-free production by using environmentally friendly catalysts like C₃H₆O₃ or B(OH)₃ under microwave condition, which is an effective way to get rid of these issues.

XLVII and aldehydes (XLVIII) undergo cyclic condensation in an equal amount of a bioabsorbable solution like ethanol and lactic acid for 4-6 hours at normal temperature. Song et al. (2016) disclosed the one-pot synthesis of disubstituted-benzimidazole (DSBs) (XLIX-a) derivatives. The optimized result is obtained in lactic acid (Scheme 13) [31].

Khunt et al. (2014) described a strategy for the preparation of a BnZ candidate (LII) via the interaction of 1,2-diaminobenzene (L) with aldehydes (LI) by use of an ecofriendly solvent such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400. Above 80–85 °C, the process produces the highest yield of PEG-400. The targeted molecule was produced through a new unique synthetic pathway, in which glycerol/water is used (Scheme 14) [32].

Kathirvelan et al. discovered the one-pot synthesis of a monosubstituted benzimidazole (MSB) (LV a-b) scaffold in 2013 (Scheme 15) by the coupling of benzene-1,2-diamine (LIII) and aldehydes (LIV) using an ecofriendly feasible catalyst, i.e., ammonium chloride in ethanol at 80–90 °C [33].

Kidwai et al. (2010) described a unique approach using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) catalyst for the synthesis of BnZ scaffold (LVIII) in a polyethylene glycol at 50 °C for 2 h. Benzene-1,2-diamine (LVI) combined with aldehyde (LVII) in CAN catalyst tends to lead to exceptional PEG yields (LVIII-a) (Scheme 16) [34].

Azarifar et al. (2010) suggested an eco-friendly microwave-assisted reflux reaction of o-phenylenediamine (LIX) with an RCHO derivative (LX) at 80 °C for the synthesis of MSBs and DSBs (LXI, LXII) (Scheme 17) [35].

The significance of chiral BnZs has led to a relatively new sector of drug discovery for various biological applications; therefore, its synthesis has received special attention [36]. Additionally, chiral BnZs have been utilized as organocatalysts for the enantioselective chlorination, Diels–Alder reactions, asymmetric Michael additions, and asymmetric aldol-type reactions. However, Rh- and Pd-based BnZ complexes are synthesized using a Mizoroki–Heck reaction [37]. The reduction processes is performed using Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions [38]. Earlier surveys demonstrate that the BnZ scaffold is crucial for its therapeutic usage, in addition to as optical sensors for use in nanomaterial properties [39]. These properties can apparently benefit the numerous sensing devices, as well as its cost effectiveness and operational flexibility; therefore, it seems to have specific usage in medicine, geology, and industrial innovation (Figure 3). Another use of BnZ and its derivatives is in supra-molecular assemblies with intriguing features for various uses, such as thermostable polymers, adsorbent materials, nano-containers, and liquid crystals for electronic conduction. For the last few years, it has been seen in a lot of research in the area of polybenzimidazole (PBI) derivatives, such as for solid electrolytes of fuel cells [40,41,42,43,44], fiber [45], thin coatings [46], advanced protective coverings [47], or to remove palladium, Th, and U from a watery medium [48]. PBI-based technologies exist in Charlotte, North Carolina, used in the pioneering industrial applications for firefighter safety in Europe, United States, and Middle East, with 32 years of expertise. PBI materials are famous for their tested protection against heat and flames, and shield the firemen in a various fire services [49].

Another use of poly-Benzimidazole, as a combined matrix, shows extraordinarily strong evaporation property due to its high porosity and selectivity [50]. Additionally, this is the most recommended material for another photonic technology in organic frames. This has led to the study of a number of small molecules of BnZ derivatives like 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, 2-phenylbenzimidazole, and 2-hydroxybenzimidazole, with excellent non-linear optical (NLO) properties [51] and highly intricate structures [52]. Benlate and Carbendazim both used BnZ as fungicides with minimal cytotoxicity at lower concentrations and no risk for carcinogenic or genetic effects [53]. There is documentation regarding the utilization of BnZ as fertilizers and insecticides, which also specifies their uses [54]. BnZ is an organic molecule, recently highlighted as a corrosion inhibitor for copper, iron, or zinc in acidic circumstances [55,56] because of its properties of BnZ-bonded electron donating and accepting substituents. Scientists have demonstrated that BnZ is a flexible and necessary chromophore for natural dyes, with excellent photophysical, electrochemical, and photovoltaic characteristics [57]. Benzimidazol-2-one is highly considerable because of its durability and light-resistance properties. It has been used for the last three decades to produce a wide variety of subtleties in water for color painting and electro-photographic toner [58]. BnZ has proven to be a vital molecule in organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), with excellent phosphorescence, thermal features, and morphological stabilities [59]. For innovative research with a new mode of action, heterocyclic compounds are frequently used. Aryl aziridines is a heterocyclic compound [60] and BnZ derivatives play a significant role because of the vast range of biological actions they exhibit. According to a literature survey, BnZ and its derivatives have physiological and pharmacological activities. These are able to treat a broad range of disorders, particularly epilepsy, diabetes, and pregnancy. Such derivatives exhibit a variety of bioactivities like antiallergic [61], antihistamine [62], anti-ulcerative, antiproliferative [63], antioxidant [64,65], antifungal, antibacterial, antitubercular [66], antihypertensive [67], anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiamoebic [68], antitumor [69,70,71], antimalarial [72], and anti-kinase activity [73]. Several BnZ derivatives are also being investigated as cholinesterase inhibitors and anti-parasitic drugs [74,75,76,77].

Numerous derivatives have been explored in individual investigations, for various therapeutic treatments. These include the antiemetic, KB-R-6933; the anti-cancer, Bendastumide; the antiviral, l Hoechst 33342; the antihistamine, Clemizole; the anti-ulcerative, Omeprazole; and the anti-hypertensive, Telmisartan. Additionally, Thiabendazol, an anti-fungal agent, has been employed to examine its effects (Figure 4) [78].