The benzimidazole nucleus was found to be a stable platform on which drugs could be developed.
[3] Benzimidazole is produced by condensation of o-phenylenediamine with formic acid,[4] or the equivalent trimethyl orthoformate: 2-Substituted derivatives are obtained when the condensation is conducted with aldehydes in place of formic acid, followed by oxidation.
The most prominent benzimidazole complex features N-ribosyl-dimethylbenzimidazole, as found in vitamin B12.
[9] Many pharmaceutical agents belong to the benzimidazole class of compounds.
For example: In printed circuit board manufacturing, benzimidazole can be used as an organic solderability preservative.