Benzimidazole compounds and their use as chromatographic ligands

1. A solid phase matrix represented by the general formula:

M-SP-L,

wherein M designates the matrix backbone, SP designates a spacer, and L designates a ligand represented by the structural formula (II):

or a tautomer thereof, wherein:

R 1 is —Z—N(R 3 ) 2 , —Z—SR 3 , or —Z—OR 3 ;

R 2 is —H, -halogen, —OR 4 , —NH 2 , -alkyl, —NO 2 , —SO 3 H, —N(R 3 )C(O)N(R 3 ) 2 ,

R 3 is —H;

R 5 is —H;

Z is a single bond or an optionally substituted alkylene; and

n is an integer from 0 to 4.

2. The solid phase matrix of claim 1 , wherein L designates a ligand represented by the following structural formula:

or a tautomer thereof.

3. The solid phase matrix of claim 1 , wherein Z is a single bond and n is 1.

4. The solid phase matrix of claim 1 , wherein L designates a ligand represented by the following structural formulas:

5. The solid phase matrix of claim 1 , wherein the matrix backbone is agarose.

6. The solid phase matrix of claim 1 , wherein the spacer SP is represented by the following formula:

—(O—CH 2 CH(OH)—CH 2 ) m —, wherein m is an integer from 1 to 10.

7. The solid phase matrix of claim 1 , wherein:

the matrix backbone is agarose;

the spacer SP is represented by the following formula:

—(O—CH 2 CH(OH)—CH 2 ) m —, wherein m is an integer from 1 to 3; and

the ligand L is represented by the following structural formulas:

8. A compound represented by the following structural formulas: