Benzimidazolcs arc traditionally synthcsizrd by ultimato construct'ion of the imidazolc moictt).,\ vh (trc> b). the prcroquisitc. o-ph (: ri!. lcric~ diamincs arc: cyclizod with carboxylic acids and/or d (1rivat ivw thoreof. An altcrnativc asscmbl~., commmcing with prrformcd and suitahly functionalimd imidazolcs, has, to tlic best of our lmon-lcdgtt, hitherto cwapc! d attcntion. Such an approach is 1ic: rc: ivit'h illustrated. It is, by its natur (', comp1ornc: ntarJ. ...