Studies on the synthesis of various 2-styrylbenzimidazoles 3, 7 and N-methy
lated 2-styrylbenzimidazoles 5, 9 from 2-methyl/ethyl benzimidazoles 2, 6 a
nd 1,2-dimethy/1-methyl-2-ethylbenzimidazoles 4, 8 respectively by condensa
tion with different aromatic aldehydes are described. The spectral characte
ristics of 2-styrylbenzimidazoles and N-methylated-2-styrylbenzimidazoles a
re discussed. An efficient and convenient phase-transfer catalysed methylat
ion procedure for the synthesis of N-methylated-2-styrylbenzimidazoles from
2-styrylbenzimidazoles is reported.