Imidazole → 1-Benzylimidazole

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

260 ml of 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution, 102 g (1.5 mol) of imidazole and 18 g (0.11 mol) of 1-benzimidazole were introduced into a 1 1 four-neck flask with stirrer, thermometer, dropping funnel and reflux condenser, and 209 g (1.65 mol) of benzyl chloride were added dropwise at 50° C., cooling with a water bath. After the addition was complete, the mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 30 min. and then diluted with 350 g of water in order to dissolve the salts completely. The organic phase was then separated off, the aqueous phase was extracted with toluene, and the combined organic phases were dried over sodium sulfate. Removal of the toluene was followed by distillation under reduced pressure. 243 g of 99% pure 1-benzylimidazole (yield 222 g (94%) after subtraction of the product employed as catalyst) of boiling point 132°-135° C. under 0.5 mbar were obtained.

Provenance & Evidence