Kinetics and Mechanism of 2-Phenyl-1H-Benzo[d]Imidazole Derivatives Formation: Catalyzed by Glucose

Sucrose as a green and biodegradable catalyst has been used for the synthesis of 2-phenyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives from the reaction of o-phenylenediamine and arylaldehydes under optimal experimental conditions. Kinetics of the two-component reaction of o-phenylenediamine and benzaldehyde has been spectrally studied and the kinetic data along with relevant activation parameters (Ea, ∆H‡, ∆S‡ and ∆G‡) have been determined. The reaction followed second-order kinetics overall and partial-orders respect to the both reactants were one. The effects of solvent, temperature and concentration of the catalyst on the reaction rate were also investigated. Furthermore, the kinetic results confirmed the proposed mechanism and showed the first and second steps could be a rate-determining step (RDS).