Benzimidazole derivatives, their production and use

A method according to claim wherein 12, wherein D′ is hydroxyl, a lower (C1-6) alkoxy group optionally substituted with hydroxyl, lower (C1-6) alkoxy or optionally substituted dioxolenyl on the alkyl moiety, a lower (C2-3) alkenyloxy optionally substituted with optionally substituted aryl on the alkenyl moiety, or a group having the formula:

• —OCH(R7)OCOR8
• wherein R7 is hydrogen, or straight or branched lower allyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and R8 is straight or branched lower alkyl having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having 5 to 7 carbon atoms, lower (C1-3) alkyl which is substituted with optionally substituted aryl or cycloalkyl having 5 to 7 carbon atoms, optionally substituted aryl, straight or branched lower alkoxy having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkyloxy having 5 to 7 carbon atoms, lower (C1-3) alkoxy which is substituted with optionally substituted aryl or cycloalkyl having 5 to 7 carbon atoms, or optionally substituted aryloxy.

A method for producing 1-(cyclohexyloxycarbonyloxy)ethyl 2-ethoxy-1-[[2′-(1H-tetrazol-5yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]benzimidazole-7-carboxylate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which comprises deprotecting 1-(cyclohexyloxycarbonyloxy)ethyl 2-ethoxy-1-[[2′-(N-triphenylmethyltetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl]benzimidazole-7-carboxylate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.