A new synthesis of pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives is described. Easily available N-(2-propenylideneaminophenyl)ketenimines underwent an intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition reaction, in which the cumulated C=C bond of the ketenimine fragment acts as the 2 pi-electron component and the alpha,beta-unsaturated imine function as the 4 pi-electron component, yielding the titled compounds in a periselective manner. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.