Processes for nitration of N-substituted imidazoles

A process for making an N-substituted-2-nitroimidazole or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, the process comprising:

• a. reacting an N-substituted imidazole of formula I:
• wherein:
• R is halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, alkoxy, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, alkylalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkynyl, or C(O)OR2, where R2 is C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, alkoxy, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, alkylalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl;
• wherein:
• each C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, alkoxy, alkylalkoxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl or heterocycloalkynyl is, independently, optionally substituted by one or more halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy or phenyl groups,
• with the proviso that C1 is not substituted with three phenyl groups,
• with a base to produce a mixture;
• and
• b. reacting the mixture with at least one nitrating agent, with the proviso that the nitrating agent is not a non-acidic alkyl nitrate.