Heterogeneous PMO@MXene nanocomposite: a robust and efficient nanocatalyst for two-component synthesis of highly substituted 2-(aryl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives

In this work, a novel MXene-based nanocomposite, denoted as PMO@MXene, was synthesized for the first time and successfully applied as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst in the green synthesis of 2-(aryl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole derivatives. This catalyst has been used for the synthesis of new derivatives, which were characterized using ¹³CNMR, ¹HNMR, TLC, and mass spectrometry. The hybrid material was fabricated through the integration of periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) onto the layered structure of MXene, combining the properties of PMO with the excellent conductivity and catalytic potential of MXene. Comprehensive characterization using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, BET, and HRTEM analyses confirmed the successful formation and structural integrity of the heterogeneous PMO@MXene nanocomposite. The catalytic activity of the PMO@MXene nanocomposite was investigated under mild and environmentally benign conditions, leading to high yields in short reaction times with minimal catalyst loading. Notably, the catalyst exhibited remarkable reusability over multiple cycles with negligible loss of performance. This study introduces the PMO@MXene nanocomposite as a promising, sustainable, and recyclable platform for efficient organic transformations, particularly for the synthesis of biologically significant benzimidazole scaffolds.