An efficient method is developed for the synthesis of functionalized benzimidazoles and perimidines by the condensation of aryl diamines with β-carbonyl compounds catalyzed by ytterbium chloride. The reactions give good yields under mild conditions. A mechanism involving a lanthanide activated C--C bond cleavage is proposed.
Cai, Lijian Ji, Xiaofeng Yao, Zhigang Xu, Fan Shen, Qi
