Abstract: The present application provides a series of benzimidazole compounds of formula I: ##STR1## which inhibit the growth of picornaviruses, such as rhinoviruses (bovine and human), enteroviruses such as polioviruses, coxsackieviruses of the A and B groups, or echo virus, cardioviruses such as encephalomyocarditis (EMC), apthoviruses such as foot and mouth disease virus, and flaviviruses such as hepatitis C virus and bovine viral diarrhea virus.Such compounds are also useful as intermediates for preparing additional benzimidazole antiviral compounds.