Synthesis,characterization, and X-ray crystallographic structure of 1,3-dimethyl-2(3H)-imidazoleselone

The reaction of elemental Se with 1,3-dimethylimidazolium iodide in methanolic K₂CO₃ yields 1,3-dimethyl-2(3H)-imidazoleselone for which three addition products, two with bromine and one with iodomethane, have been synthesized and for which X-ray crystallographic analysis shows the structure to consist of a selenium-substituted planar heterocyclic ring with bond distances and angles significantly different from those noted for the previously reported sulfur analog [1,3-dimethyl-2(3H)-imidazolethione, dmit]. Crystal data: C₅H₈N₂Se, space group C mcm, M = 175.03, a = 8.625(3), b = 11.447(6), c = 6.900(4) Å, V = 681.24 ų, Z = 4, D_c = 1.707 g cm⁻³, D₀ = 1.68 g cm⁻³, λ = 0.71073 Å (Mo-K_α), μ = 5.35 mm⁻¹, R = 0.034, and R_w = 0.031.