magnified imageA series of 47 novel N1‐alkylated‐2‐aryl‐5(6)‐substituted‐1H‐benzimidazoles and their three novel indole analogues were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro antifungal activities against Candida species by the tube dilution method. The results showed that compounds 79 and 80, having pyridine at the position C‐2, of benzimidazoles exhibited the greatest activity with MIC values of 6.25–3.12 μg/mL. Indole analogues 108‐110 have no inhibitory activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2009).