Condensation of benzoic acid with amidoalcohols in presence of conc.H2SO4 f
urnishes m-(amidoalkyl)-benzoic acids 1 which on treatment with benzoin in
polyphosphoric acid give 3,4-diphenyl-7-amidoalkyl-coumarins 2 in excellent
yields. Reaction of 2 with o-phenylenediamine in dry pyridine results in t
he formation of 7-(arylamidoalkyl)-3,4-diphenyl-isoquinolinyl-[1,5-c]-benzi
midazoles 3 in yields varying from 50% to 60%. Antiviral activity of 3 is r
eported.