5-Methyl-1H-Imidazole-4-Methanol is a specialty chemical of growing importance across several advanced applications. Behind the complex name sits a molecular structure featuring both a methyl group and a methanol moiety attached to an imidazole core. Its international trade usually recognizes it under HS Code 29332990, which flags it within heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen. Up close, the typical sample appears as a fine, off-white powder, sometimes as crystalline solid flakes or pearls, lending itself to convenient handling in both laboratory and industrial environments. Its formula, C5H8N2O, gives a molecular weight of around 112.13 g/mol. Density hovers close to 1.15 g/cm3, and it holds up well under standard conditions before breaking down at much higher temperatures.
In everyday chemical work, questions of safety and reactivity matter more than dry textbook definitions. 5-Methyl-1H-Imidazole-4-Methanol presents itself as a stable, solid-state raw material, which means it stores and weighs out without much hassle. It can dissolve in water and organic solvents, forming a clear solution—useful when formulating pharmaceutical intermediates or running synthesis trials. As a crystalline material, its flakes or powder do not generate much static or dust, reducing the mess in routine lab handling and giving a dependable feel during dosing. The solid melts at around 140-143°C, and unlike some volatile organics, it rarely produces fumes at room temperature. It stands up to many standard reagents without uncontrolled side reactions, but users still want to avoid strong acids or oxidizers.
Looking at the molecule’s structure helps reveal its value. The imidazole ring forms the backbone, with a methyl group at position five and a hydroxymethyl group at position four. This construction opens doors for subtle tweaks to pharmaceutical or agricultural molecules; the ring’s nitrogen atoms offer binding and coordination, often easing the way during complex reaction pathways. Many chemists reach for this compound when assembling building blocks for drugs, where the imidazole scaffold is already key in anti-fungal, anti-cancer, or anti-inflammatory therapies. Research teams and process managers appreciate the flexibility that comes from a stable methyl-imidazole derivative—the hydroxymethyl side arm introduces sites for further modification, feeding more complex custom applications.
Choosing any chemical for scale-up means zeroing in on reliable specification. For 5-Methyl-1H-Imidazole-4-Methanol, purity ranges from 98% minimum on standard lots up to high-purity grades above 99.5%, depending on requirements. Moisture content by Karl Fischer titration often sits below 0.5%, and reputable labs report minimal heavy metals, usually less than 10 ppm in carefully managed supply chains. Flake, powder, and pearl grades each serve users with different equipment, so suppliers indicate not only bulk density but also flow properties and sieve analysis. Crystals can be milled to finer powders if necessary, but all forms retain the same essential chemical identity. Raw material buyers scrutinize COA results, batch documentation, and stability data to ensure no surprises in critical production runs.
Even widely used chemicals deserve respect during routine operations. Current safety data for 5-Methyl-1H-Imidazole-4-Methanol rates it as a low-to-moderate hazard, but not as benign as table sugar. Skin and eye irritation may result from careless exposure, so gloves and goggles stay close at hand. Inhalation or ingestion can irritate sensitive tissues. Dust control and ventilation matter in high-throughput environments, just as with other imidazole derivatives. Some users may experience mild allergic reactions. Spills seldom generate unusual risks, though all chemical waste streams should be collected and treated per existing local regulations. Workers need clear instructions and material safety data sheets nearby—chemical stewardship counts as much at the bench as anywhere else in industry.
Years of sourcing chemical inputs have taught that quality source assurance requires more than vendor claims. Anyone buying 5-Methyl-1H-Imidazole-4-Methanol in bulk expects consistent lots, paperwork that matches each drum or tanker, and responsive communication from suppliers—all part of responsible practice and meeting regulatory expectations. Audits matter, third-party lab tests back up in-house results, and knowing your HS Code means smoother border crossings and honest tariffs. It always pays to look past the spec sheet, asking not only for the chemical’s current form—flake, powder, pearl, or crystalline solid—but for storage conditions, documented history, and evidence of hazard management. Only reliable, clear information on density, formula, and potential hazards builds lasting trust in the raw materials that end up shaping medicines, coatings, or catalysts worldwide.
