Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Benzimidazole Derivatives from Citronellal in Kaffir Lime (<i>Citrus hystrix</i>DC.) Oil

Abstract

Benzimidazoles are an important group of heterocyclic aromatic organic compound in the field of medicinal chemistry. It plays a very important role in pharmacological activity such as, analgesic, antiinflammatory, antibacterial, anti ungal, anti iral, antithelmenthic, anti convulsant, antihypertensive, and antiulcer. The synthesis of benzimidazole derivative under microwave irradiation of citronellal as raw material which is extracted from Citrus hystrix DC. (kaffir lime) leaves. The reaction using methanol and dichloromethane as solvent with variation of reaction time at 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 minutes and mole ratio of citronellal to 1,2-phenylenediamine, 1:1, 1:1.5, and 1:2, respectively. Synthesis products was characterized by FT-IR and GC-MS. The optimum reaction time was obtained at 60 minutes in the present of dichloromethane and 1:2 mole ratio of citronellal to 1,2-phenylenediamine. The yield of the product is 42.19%. Structure of the synthesized compound were assigned on spectrum bands for C=N str at 1661 cm-1, C-N str at 1271 cm-1, C=C str of benzene ring at 1622 and 1456 cm-1 and C=C str of alkene at 1379 cm-1. GC-MS analysis showed single peak with retention time of 15.339 minute and m/z 242.