Synthesis, characterization and fungitoxicity of substituted benzimidazoles

Condensation of ortho-phenylenediamine with different substituted carboxylic acids afforded benzimidazoles in the presence of concentrated hydrochloric acid. Synthesized compounds were characterized by their IR, H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectra. The compounds were screened for their fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium moniliforme by poisoned food technique. All the benzimidazoles exhibited less activity than standard bavistin at all the tested concentrations. Some of the synthesized compounds showed promising to moderate activity.