Methyl iodide → 5-Methoxy-1-methylbenzimidazole

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Reaction Steps

In an oven dried nitrogen purged 3 neck 50 mL round bottom flask, 5.00 g (37.75 mmol) of 5-methoxybenzimidazole in 20 mL of dry dimethylformamide is reacted with 1.66 g (41.53 mmol) of sodium hydride at room temperature for 4 h. 2.58 mL (41.53 mmol) of iodomethane is added and reaction is allowed to stir at room temperature overnight. Reaction is quenched with water, layers are separated, extracted aqueous 3×50 mL ethyl acetate, dried (MgSO4), and concentrated. The crude mixture is purified by chromatography using dichloromethane: methanol as a solvent system. Product containing fractions are combined to obtain 3.50 g of the title compound which is used as is, 57% yield.

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