Imidazole

Imidazole group denotes a heterocyclic organic compound whose molecule contains a five-membered hetero-aromatic ring of two non-adjacent nitrogen atoms, that a carbon atom is placed between two nitrogen atoms. Imidazole is the universally used trivial name for 1,3-azole. Earlier given names were glyoxaline and iminazole. The importance of this aromatic ring system is reflected by its presence in naturally occurring histidine, histamine and the purines, and in several classes of pharmaceuticals. Imidazole can act as a base and as a weak acid. It exists in two tautomeric forms with the hydrogen atom taking position between the two nitrogen atoms.