4-Methylimidazole

  • 4-methyl -1H-imidazole
  • 5-methyl -1H-imidazole
  • 4 (5) -methylimidazole
  • 4 -MEI

Yellow solid

Fixed

1.0416 g · cm -3

46-48 ° C

263 ° C

  • Soluble in water
  • Very soluble in ethanol

1.5037 (14 ° C)

Risk

751 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

4- methylimidazole ( 4 -MEI short ) is a heterocyclic organic compound from the group of imidazoles with molecular formula C4H6N2.

Occurrence

4 -methyl-imidazole may be caused by the Maillard reaction during the fermentation, or the browning of foods. It is found in ammonia caramel (E 150c ), since it is produced as a by-product in the production thereof. Since caramel is also used as a dye in cola, it is there a umstrittenener part.

Production and representation

Synthesized 4 -methylimidazole by reacting methylglyoxal with ammonia and formaldehyde in the Radziszewski synthesis.

Use

4 -methyl-imidazole is an important intermediate in the production of pharmaceutical products. It is the starting material for drugs and antiseptic, as well as for photo - developing liquid.

Toxicity

4- methylimidazole can trigger seizures in rabbits, mice and chickens. Furthermore, a carcinogenic effect was observed in rats and mice.

CAS registry number PubChem Dangerous Substances Directive (67/548/EEC) Debus-Radziszewski imidazole synthesis Active ingredient Center for Science in the Public Interest
14492
de