An efficient synthesis of Schiff bases containing benzimidazole moiety catalyzed by transition metal nitrates

A simple and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of some novel Schiff bases via thereaction of aromatic aldehydes with 2-aminobenzimidazole by using catalytic amount of M(NO3)2 .xH2O in an organic solvent at room temperature. Some advantages of this protocol are its very good yields, use of available catalysts, simple workup procedure, and short reaction times.