Silver-loaded TiO2 (Ag-TiO2) and acidic clay (K10 montmorillonite) composite photocatalyst has been successfully applied for the light-induced conversion of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and its derivatives to substituted benzimidazoles with various alcohols in acetonitrile using UV-A and solar light. The influence of the various photocatalysts, solvents, and substituents on the yield and selectivity of the products has been investigated. The mechanism of photocatalysis is proposed. Loading silver on TiO2 enhances product yield and selectivity both in UV and solar light. In the presence of primary alcohols, 2-aminothiophenol forms only disulfide and hence Ag-TiO2/ clay can be used as a green catalyst for the synthesis of disulfides. © 2010 The Chemical Society of Japan.