2-Methylimidazole is an organic compound that is structurally related to imidazole with the chemical formula CH₃C₃H₂N₂H. It is a white or colorless solid that is highly soluble in polar organic solvents and water. It is a precursor to a range of drugs and is a ligand in coordination chemistry.
2-Methylimidazole is used as a raw material for the preparation of nitroimidazole antibiotics, which is useful in combat anaerobic bacterial and parasitic infections. It acts as a ligand in coordination chemistry.
It is also employed as a hardener or accelerator for epoxy resin and auxiliary agent for textile dyes.
Further, it acts as a catalyst for refolding of enhanced colored fluorescent protein. It is also useful as a building block in the synthesis of biologically active compounds. In addition to this, it is used as an active pharmaceutical ingredient intermediate such as metronidazole and dimetridazole.