Nitric Acid → 5-Methyl-2-phenyl-1H-imidazole-4-carbaldehyde

Participants

Reaction Steps

A 102.1 gm. portion of 5-methyl-2-phenyl-4-imidazolemethanol is dissolved in 765 ml. of concentrated HNO3. The solution is cooled in an ice bath and allowed to stand for 16 hours. The solution is heated on a steam bath for 30 minutes, diluted with 2.3 liters of water and neutralized with 50% NaOH while cooling in an ice bath. The solid is collected, dried, recrystallized from 200 ml. of ethanol and then from one liter of 1:2 ethanol:water giving the desired product, m.p. 102°-115° C.

Provenance & Evidence