Benzimidazoles and Benzoxazoles via the Nucleophilic Addition of Anilines to Nitroalkanes.

The reaction of phenylenediamines and 2-aminophenols (I) with nitroalkanes (II) in PPA leads to desired benzimidazoles and benzoxazoles (III) in high yields, whilst the reaction with 2-nitro-1-phenylethan-1-one (IV) affords unexpected 2-phenyl substituted products.