Preparation of 4(5)-hydroxymethyl-5(4)-methylimidazole

Abstract

4(5)-Hydroxymethyl-5(4)-methylimidazole (MHI) is prepared by a process comprising the steps of: (a) reacting 4-methylimidazole (MI) with from 1.05 to 1.1 moles of formaldehyde or an equivalent amount of paraformaldehyde per mole of MI, in a concentrated aqueous NaCl solution in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a strong inorganic base, at a temperature from about 20.degree. to about 60.degree. C.; (b) neutralizing the reaction mixture with concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid to a pH of 8.5-8.9 to obtain a precipitate of MHI free base; and (c) separating the precipitate thus obtained from the aqueous solution and washing it with cold water or acetone. The MHI free base thus obtained can further be converted to an acid addition salt thereof.

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