Environmentally friendly and efficient TBHP-mediated catalytic reaction for the synthesis of substituted benzimidazole-2-ones: In-silico approach to pharmaceutical applications

Abstract

A novel method was used to synthesize benzimidazole-2-ones from the corresponding benzimidazolium salts. These salts were subsequently reacted with potassium tertiary butoxide (KOtBu), followed by oxidation using tertiary butyl hydrogen peroxide (TBHP) at room temperature in tetrahydrofuran (THF) to obtain the desired products in 1 h with excellent yields. After optimizing the reaction conditions, the study focused on preparing benzimidazole-2-ones with diverse substituents at N1 and N3 positions, including benzyl, 2′,4′,6′-trimethyl benzyl groups, and long-chain aliphatic substituents (hexyl, octyl, decyl, and dodecyl). The compounds were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectra, of which compound 2a is supported by single crystal XRD. Benzimidazole-2-one compounds exhibited promising anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The inhibition of mitochondrial Heat Shock Protein 60 (HSP60) of title compounds was also explored. Computational simulations were employed to assess anti-cancer properties of 19 benzimidazole-2-one derivatives (potential drugs). In-silico docking studies demonstrated promising binding interactions with HSP60, and these results were supported by molecular dynamics simulations. Notably, molecules 2b and 2d exhibited high affinity for HSP60 protein, highlighting their potential efficacy. The developed ligands were viable for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The findings provide valuable initial evidence supporting the efficacy of benzimidazole-2-ones as HSP60 inhibitors and lay the foundation for subsequent studies, including in-vitro assays.