To a suspension of 9.6 g (0.030 mol) of α,α-bis(p-chlorophenyl)imidazole-2-methanol (prepared according to Example III) in 100 ml. of acetonitrile, 500 mg of picric acid, 300 mg of potassium iodide and 1.45 g (0.036 mol) of sodium hydroxide were added at 60° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for one hour and then 4.7 g (0.033 mol) of methyl iodide in 25 ml. of acetonitrile were added dropwise at 55° C. The mixture was refluxed for four hours, the solvent was distilled off and the residue was extracted with a mixture of water and diethyl ether. The solid matter was filtered off and the ethereal phase was dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated. Diethyl ether was added to the residue and the solid matter was filtered off. The two portions of solid material were combined and twice crystallised from isopropyl alcohol and twice from toluene and rewashed with petroleum ether (boiling range 60°-80° C.). α,α-Bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1-methylimidazole-2-methanol was obtained. Melting point 190°-191° C.
