(I), with its CAS registry number , could also be known as 2-Methyl-5-nitro-1H--1-ethanol. As to its usage, it is usually applied in the following ways: acne therapy, antiamebics, antibacterial drugs, antibacterial ophthalmic drugs, antifungal agents, ophthalmic drugs, treatment of protozoal diseases. When comes to its production, it could be made from many synthesis methods.

Method first:

2-Methylimidazole (I) is converted into the bisulfate salt, and then nitrated by means of a sulfonitric mixture in Ac2O to produce 2-methyl-4-nitroimidazole (II) . In a variant of this procedure, 2-methylimidazole (I) is nitrated by using a ferric nitrate-tonsyl adduct in several solvents. Imidazole (II) is then regioselectively alkylated with boiling 2-chloroethanol to produce the title compound. Alternatively, the alkylation of (II) has been reported by treatment with ethylene oxide (III) under acidic conditions.

Method second:

In an alternative procedure, the title compound is obtained by hydrolysis of the bromoethyl imidazole (I) in the presence of formic acid in aqueous formamide.

Method third:

The title compound can be obtained by reaction of 1-(acetoxymethyl)-2-methyl-4-nitroimidazole (I) with ethylene oxide (II) in the presence of sulfur trioxide, followed by hydrolysis in aqueous H₂SO_4.

Method fourth:

In a related procedure, 1-(acetoxymethyl)-2-methyl-4-nitroimidazole (I) is condensed with ethyleneglycol diacetate (II) in the presence of anhydrous H₂SO₄, followed by hydrolysis or alcoholysis under acidic conditions to produce the title compound.

Method fifth:

Alternatively, 2-methyl-4-nitroimidazole (I) is protected by acylation in hot acetic anhydride to give (II). Addition of ethylene oxide (III) to the N-acetyl imidazole (II) in the presence of SO₃, followed by acidic hydrolysis furnishes the title compound.

Method sixth:

The title compound can also be obtained by alkylation, in different solvents, of 1-(acetoxymethyl)-2-methyl-4-nitroimidazole (I) with either ethylene sulfate (II) or with bis-(2-acetoxyethyl) sulfate (III) -generated from ethyleneglycol diacetate (IV) and either dimethyl sulfate or H₂SO₄ - followed by hydrolysis or alcoholysis treatment.