Abstract
3-(2-Bromoacetyl)coumarins (I), when treated with 2-mercatobenzimidazole (II) in acetone containing K2CO3 (mild base) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as a phase transfer catalyst, at room temperature yielded the title compound 3-[2-(1H-benzimidazole-2-yl-sufanyl)-acetyl]-chromen-2-one (III) in a one-pot synthesis. Alternatively, III could also be prepared by treating dithiocarbonic acid O-ethyl ester, S-[2-oxo-2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen3-yl)ethyl] ester (V), with o-phenylenediamine (VI). The methylation of the title compound III was performed with dimethyl sulfate (DMS), in acetonitrile containing TBAB and K2CO3 at room temperature, resulting in 3-[2-(N-methyl-benzimidazol-2-yl-sulfanyl)]-acetyl-chromen-2-ones (VII). Alternatively, methylation of III could also be performed with DMS in acetonitrile containing K2CO3 as base and clay as surface catalyst. All the compounds were synthesized in good yields and their structures were confirmed by spectral and analytical data.