Novel halogenated imidazoles. Chloroimidazoles

With one exception chloroimidazoles containing an unalkylated ring nitrogen have been ignored. Procedures are described using hypochlorite solution that permit the synthesis of 4,5-dichloroimidazole and 2,4,5-trichloroimidazole. Various bromoimidazoles are also converted to chloroimidazoles in refluxing hydrochloric acid.