Preparation

1-Methylimidazole is prepared mainly by two routes industrially. The main one is acid-catalysed methylation of imidazole by methanol. The second method involves the Radziszewski reaction from glyoxal, formaldehyde, and a mixture of ammonia and methylamine. (CHO)2 + CH2O + CH3NH2 + NH3 → H2C2N(NCH3)CH + 3 H2O The compound can be synthesized on a laboratory scale by methylation of imidazole at the pyridine-like nitrogen and subsequent deprotonation. Similarly, 1-methylimidazole may be synthesized by first deprotonating imidazole to form a sodium salt followed by methylation. H2C2N(NH)CH + CH3I → [H2C2(NH)(NCH3)CH]I [H2C2(NH)(NCH3)CH]I + NaOH → H2C2N(NCH3)CH + H2O + NaI

Flammability and Explosibility

Notclassified

Purification Methods

Dry it with sodium metal and then distil it. Store it at 0o under dry argon. The picrate has m 159.5-160.5o (from H2O). [Beilstein 23 III/IV 568.]

Definition

ChEBI: 1-methyl-1H-imidazole is a 1H-imidazole having a methyl substituent at the N-1 position. It is a metabolite of 1-methyl-2-thioimidazole (methimazole). It inhibits bone resorption.

General Description

This product has been enhanced for catalysis. 1-Methylimidazole is a derivative of imidazole that is utilized in the manufacture of such classes of items as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, ion-exchange resins, dye intermediates, textile auxiliaries, photographic chemicals, and corrosion inhibitors. It is also used as a catalyst for manufacturing polyurethanes and a curing agent for epoxy resins.