Formaldehyde → 1-Benzyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxymethylimidazole

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 8 g (43 mmol) of 1-benzyl-4,5-dimethylimidazole and 60 ml of 40% aqueous formaldehyde solution was heated in a sealed autoclave at 150° C. for 20 hours. The mixture was evaporated and the semi-solid residue was chromatographed on a column of 300 g of silica gel using a 20% solution of methanol in chloroform for the elution. Evaporation of the eluate yielded 6 g of 1-benzyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxymethylimidazole of melting point 156°-158° C. After recrystallization from methylcyclohexane, the melting point was 160°-162° C. A portion of the product was treated with a solution of hydrogen chloride in ethanol. Addition of diethyl ether precipitated 1-benzyl-4,5-dimethyl-2-hydroxymethylimidazole hydrochloride of melting point 162°-163° C.

Provenance & Evidence