Definition of Imidazole



Imidazole​ is an organic compound having the molecular formula as C3​N2​H​4​. ​ It occurs in a solid-state and has a white colour. It is highly polar in nature, soluble in water, and upon dissolution, it forms a slightly alkaline solution. It belongs to the class of aromatic heterocyclic compounds.

 


The two nitrogen atoms present in the structure are non-adjacent to each other. Many alkaloids also contain imidazole ring in their structure. An amino acid, histidine, and a related hormone, histamine also have this ring present in their structure. Purine (a double-ringed nitrogenous base) is formed when imidazole is fused to pyrimidine (a single ringed nitrogenous base). 


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