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2-Chlorobenzimidazole (CAS 4857-06-0): Chemical Profile, Hazards & Laboratory Testing at NSR Laboratories

By November 10, 2025 December 3rd, 2025 Blog

 

About This Product:

CAS Number                              : 4857-06-1

Molecular Weight                     : 152.58

Molecular Formula                   : C7H5ClN2

Synonym(s)                            : 2-Chloro-1H-benzo[d]imidazole, 2-CHLORO-1H-BENZOIMIDAZOLE, 2-chloro-1H-1,3-benzodiazole;oro-1H-benzimidazoL, 2-Chlorobenzimidazol;Emestine Impurity 11, 2-CHLOROBENZIMIDAZOLE, 2-Chlorobenzoimidazole

Physical Properties:

Appearance                                      : Off-White to Slight Yellow Powder

Purity                                                 : >98.00% (HPLC)

Assay by Titration                         : > 98%

(On Anhydrous basis)

 

Melting Point                                    : 205°C – 208°C

Boiling Point                                      : NA

Storage Temperature                      : Room temperature (recommended dark place)

Conditions to avoid                          : Moisture sensitive

LOD                                                      : NA

Moisture content                              : NMT 0.50%

Solubility                                             : Soluble in Methanol

 

Description                    : It is primarily used in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries as a building block for various bioactive compounds like anti-allergy drugs, acid-related medications, and antifungal agents. It is a relatively stable compound that enables efficient synthesis in drug development.

2-Chlorobenzimidazole is primarily used as a versatile intermediate in organic synthesis, especially in the development and manufacture of various pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals.

Key applications include:

  • Pharmaceutical Development: It is a crucial building block in the synthesis of many drugs, such as Emedastine and Mizolastine for allergies, and Lansoprazole for acid-related disorders. It is also used in creating anti-malarial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral agents, including those targeting the hepatitis C virus, and compounds for biochemical studies.
  • Agricultural Chemicals: It is used in developing fungicides and herbicides to improve crop protection and productivity.
  • Material Science: It can be added to polymers and coatings to increase chemical resistance and durability.
  • General Organic Synthesis: Due to its reactivity, it serves as a key starting material for creating other complex organic molecules in laboratories, like 1-methyl-2-chlorobenzimidazole.

2-Chlorobenzimidazole Uses:

2-Chlorobenzimidazole is a versatile intermediate used in industry primarilyh for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes. It is a key building block in the production of drugs for allergies, acid-related disorders, and inflammation, such as Emedastine, Lansoprazole, and Mizolastine. Its applications also extend to creating antifungal agents, pesticides, and certain pigments.

Pharmaceutical synthesis

  • As a building block: It serves as a core structure for building larger, more complex drug molecules.
  • For specific drugs: It is used in the synthesis of drugs like Emedastine, Lansoprazole, and Mizolastine to treat conditions such as allergies and acid reflux.
  • For anti-malarials: It can be used as a base material for the structural modification and synthesis of benzimidazole anti-malarial drugs.

Agrochemicals

  • Fungicides: It is used in the development of antifungal agents for use in agriculture.
  • Pesticides: Its antimicrobial and antifungal properties make it useful in the creation of pesticides.

Other chemical applications

  • Dyes and pigments: It is used as a component in the formulation of certain dyes and pigments.
  • Ligand in coordination chemistry: It can act as a ligand in reactions involving metal coordination.
  • Catalyst: It can function as a catalyst in various organic reactions.

 

Safety and handling

  • Hazards: 2-Chlorobenzimidazole is an irritant that can cause skin irritation, serious eye irritation, and respiratory irritation.
  • Precautions: When handling, it is important to use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety goggles or a face shield, and to ensure adequate ventilation.
  • First Aid: In case of contact, follow standard first aid procedures, such as rinsing affected areas with water and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist.

 

 

2-Chlorobenzimidazole (4857-06-1)

2-Chlorobenzimidazole Reactions:

2-Chlorobenzimidazole undergoes various reactions, primarily as an electrophile, including N-alkylation, which introduces a substituent   onto the nitrogen atoms of the ring. It can also undergo ring halogenation, such as bromination, and is a building block for more complex       heterocyclic compounds, such as substituted benzimidazole-pyrimidines and various N-substituted 2-chlorobenzimidazole derivatives via     nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr).

Key reactions:

  • N-Alkylation: Reacts with alkylating agents like dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, benzyl chloride, or methyl iodide in the presence of a base (e.g., sodium hydride, aqueous NaOH, or KOH) to form N-substituted derivatives.
    • Example: Reaction with dimethyl sulfate yields 1-methyl-2-chlorobenzimidazole.

 

2-Chlorobenzimidazole (4857-06-1)

  • Halogenation: Can be brominated to form 2-chloro-4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzimidazole.2-Chlorobenzimidazole (4857-06-1)
  • Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (SNAr): The chlorine atom is susceptible to substitution by nucleophiles, particularly amines, often under high-pressure conditions, to create more complex molecules like astemizole and its analogues.
  • Building block: Serves as a starting material for synthesizing other heterocycles, such as 4-amino-6-benzimidazole-pyrimidines

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