A. Navarro-ocana et al., Reductive cyclization with baker's yeast of 4-alkyl-2-nitro-acetanilides to 6-alkylbenzimidazoles and 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-6-alkylbenzimidazoles, J CHEM S P1, (21), 2001, pp. 2754-2756
Reduction of 4-substituted 2-nitroacetanilides by baker's yeast in acid med
ia effected cyclization, resulting in the formation of 6-substituted 2-meth
ylbenzimidazoles and 6-substituted 1-hydroxy-2-methylbenzimidazole via the
chemo- and regioselective reduction of the 2-nitro aromatic group to amine
or hydroxylamine.