The present invention relates to novel benzimidazole compounds, represented by general formula (I) in which o is 0, 1, 2 or 3; R.sup.1 represents an alkyl group, a phenyl group, or a monocyclic heterocyclic group, which groups may be substituted one or more times with substituents selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl-alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, cyano, amino and nitro; or R.sup.1 represents a cyano group or a group of the formula -alkyl-CO.sub.2 R.sup.2, alkenyl-CO.sub.2 R.sup.2, --CO--R.sup.2, --CO.sub.2 (CH.sub.2).sub.m R.sup.2, or --C(R.sup.3).dbd.N--OR.sup.2, R.sup.11 represents a group of formula --CO.sub.2 --R.sup.9, or R.sup.11 represents a group of general formula (II) in which n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; or R.sup.11 may represent a group of general formula (III), in which n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; the novel compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment of central nervous system diseases and disorders, which are responsive to modulation of the GABA.sub.A receptor complex, such as for example anxiety, sleep disorders, anaestesia, memory disorders, and epilepsia or other convulsive disorders.