18.6 g (58.6 mmol) 4-Benzyloxy-6-bromo-2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole and 9 ml (70.3 mmol) triethyl-amine were suspended in 370 ml dichloromethane and 13.9 ml (70.3 mmol) (2-chloromethoxy-ethyl)-trimethylsilane were added dropwise. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 3 h, poured into water (400 ml) and extracted with dichloromethane (3×100 ml). The organic layers were dried over magnesium sulphate and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (toluene/dioxane=9:1) to afford 5.9 g (23%) of the title compound as a beige solid. m.p. 94°-95° C.
