Hydrochloric Acid → 4-Hydroxymethyl-2-p-methoxyphenyl-5-methyl-imidazole hydrochloride

Participants

Reaction Steps

A mixture of 4-isopropoxymethyl-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-methylimidazole hydrochloride (48.9 g, 0.164 mole) in 500 ml of water is stirred and refluxed. To this mixture is added 50 ml of concentrated hydrochloric acid and stirring and refluxing are continued for 4 hrs. The mixture is then chilled and filtered to give about 39.5 g (94%) of 4-hydroxymethyl-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)-5-methylimidazole hydrochloride which is recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol, m.p. 146°-148° C (dec.). Treatment with alkali (e.g., NaOH) affords the corresponding base form.

Provenance & Evidence