Synthesis
Dimethyl 2-propyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate was prepared as follows: thionyl chloride (15 g) was added to a mixture of 2-propyl-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid (10 g) in methanol (30 ml) and heated to reflux, then stirred until the reaction was complete. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0-5 C and quenched with water. The reaction mixture was alkalized with aqueous sodium hydroxide and stirred for 15 minutes. The solid was filtered, washed with water and dried to give the title compound dimethyl 2-propyl-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylate.
