Imidazole

Karl Fischer reagent in analytical chemistry. Reagent in synthetic organic chemistry.

The bulk of imidazole produced is used in the preparation of biologically active compounds.

Biological control of pests, especially fabric-feeding insects, often in combination with dl-p-fluorophenylalanine, an amino-acid inhibitor, also as a contact insecticide in an oil spray.

In the chemical industry as an intermediate in the production of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dye intermediates, auxiliaries for textile dyeing and finishing, photographic chemicals and corrosion inhibitors.

Used in cosmetics as a buffering agent.

Industrial uses: Intermediate.

Use classes: Cosmetics, Pesticide transformation products.

In the generally applicable Radziszewski reaction, a 1,2-dicarbonyl compound is condensed with an aldehyde and ammonia ... in a molar ratio of 1:1: 2, respectively. Replacement of a molar equivalent of ammonia with a primary amine ... leads to the corresponding 1-substituted imidazoles. ... The reaction is usually carried out in water or a water-alcohol mixture at 50-100 °C. Work-up may involve the usual processes (e.g., distillation, extraction, and crystallization). Distillation leads to imidazole with a purity > 99%. The yield is generally 60-85%.

Prepared by the action of ammonia on glyoxal, ... from glyoxal, ammonia, and formaldehyde, ... vapor phase synthesis from formamide and ethylenediamine in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst.