Abstract 1, 5-Benzo [b]-and 1, 5-naphtho [2, 3-b] diazepines were synthesized by the reaction of lithium 1, 3-diketonates with 1, 2-diaminobenzene and 2, 3-diaminonaphthalene in an MeOH-AcOH-HCl mixture at 0° C. The reactions of fluoroalkyl-containing lithium 1, 3- diketonates with 1, 2-diaminobenzene and 1, 2-diamino-4, 5-difluorobenzene under reflux in acetic acid afford 2-fluoroalkyl-containing benzimidazoles as the major products, whereas ...