Imidazole: A Chemical in Industry, Medicine, And Science

Imidazole (CAS: 288-32-4) is not only a multifunctional chemical, but also plays an important role in industrial, pharmaceutical, and bio-science fields.

Imidazole is a five-membered ring organic compound with the formula C₃H₄N₂ and is classified as an alkaloid. It appears as white or light-yellow solid crystals, soluble in water, chloroform, alcohol, and ether, and exhibits basic properties. It was first synthesized by Heinrich Debus in 1858. The structural features of imidazole include a planar five-membered ring with permanent dipoles between its two nitrogen atoms, leading to a high boiling point (256 °C). Imidazole is amphoteric, displaying both acidic and basic properties, thus it can form stable, water-soluble salts with inorganic acids. Today, imidazole has become an indispensable part of various industries.

Industrial Applications

Corrosion Inhibition

• As a corrosion inhibitor for copper and other transition metals—especially in aqueous systems—it effectively prevents the decline in copper’s conductivity due to corrosion.

High-Temperature Materials

• A component of heat-stable polybenzimidazole (PBI), an imidazole-containing fire-resistant material used in photography and electronics.

Grease & Paint Thickeners

• Forms complexes with bentonite, making it suitable as a thickening agent in paraffin and paint systems.

• In paints, increases adhesion on moist surfaces and enhances water resistance.

Petroleum Industry

• Widely used as a corrosion inhibitor in oilfield applications.

Epoxy Resin Curing

• Offers rapid curing at 120–180 °C, high-temperature stability, excellent metal adhesion, and produces resins with high tensile strength.

Pesticides & Agrochemicals

• Prochloraz: An imidazole fungicide extensively used on wheat, barley, mushrooms, cherries, golf course turf, and flowers (e.g., Ecuadorian roses for export to the U.S.).

• Imazalil: Controls a wide range of fungi on fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals.

Biological & Medical Significance

• Histidine: An amino acid containing an imidazole side chain, found in proteins like hemoglobin, where it binds metal ions.

• Pharmaceuticals: Drugs such as Imazalil, Gambogic acid, and Clotrimazole—used against fungal and protozoal infections and for hypertension—are synthesized using imidazole.

Summary

As a multifunctional compound, imidazole finds broad applications across industry, biology, and medicine. Our company is committed to providing high-quality imidazole products to meet diverse industrial needs. We appreciate your interest and look forward to collaborating for a better future.