A novel and efficient approach to the synthesis of 2‐substituted benzimidazoles has been developed via CuI/DMEDA‐catalyzed coupling reaction and post‐cyclization with glacial acetic acid from readily available 2‐iodoanilines and amides. This method is suitable for the construction of a variety of benzimidazoles in moderate to good yields under short reaction times.
A series of novel compounds (8a–21b) were designed and synthesized based on 2-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole. Compound 18b showed the most potent in vitro growth inhibitory activity and significant tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity.