2-Methylimidazole is an organic compound that is structurally related to imidazole with the chemical formula CH<sub>3</sub>C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>2</sub>N<sub>2</sub>H. 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.
It is prepared by condensation of glyoxal, ammonia and acetaldehyde, a Radziszewski reaction. Nitration gives 5-nitro derivative.
2-Methylimidazole is a sterically hindered imidazole that is used to simulate the coordination of histidine to heme complexes. It can be deprotonated to make imidazolate-based coordination polymers.
2-Methylimidazole is a precursor to the several members of the nitroimidazole antibiotics that are used to combat anaerobic bacterial and parasitic infections.
It has low toxicity with an (rat, oral) of 1300 mg/kg, but it is strongly irritating to the skin and eyes.
2-Methylimidazole is a REACH Regulation Candidate Substance of Very High Concern due to its endocrine disrupting properties.