Imidazole

Imidazole (CAS 288-32-4, EC 206-019-2) is a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound, also known by the abbreviations Him and IMD and the trade names Imutex and Miazole. It carries no assigned E-code. The molecular formula is C3H4N2.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, imidazole acts as a nucleophilic catalyst in acylation and ester hydrolysis reactions, accelerating synthesis steps at controlled pH. It also functions as a precision buffer in biochemical assays and chromatography systems, where its pKa of approximately 7.0 makes it effective across physiologically relevant pH ranges. In epoxy resin curing, it initiates ring-opening polymerization as a latent catalyst.

Imidazole is supplied in technical and pharmaceutical grades, with high-purity material meeting Ph.Eur. specifications available for regulated applications. The substance is registered under REACH and requires an up-to-date SDS for EU trade. Packaging typically ranges from kilogram-scale bags to bulk drums depending on grade and application requirements.