Useful base for peptide coupling, etc. See, e.g.: J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 2223 (1995). Undergoes lithiation at the 2-position. Reaction of the Li derivative with ketones followed by dehydration with acetic anhydride is a good route to 2-alkylideneimidazoles: Synthesis, 78 (1990). Likewise, reaction with benzonitrile gives the 2-benzoyl derivative, the carbonyl group of which undergoes Wittig methylenation: Synth. Commun., 20, 321 (1990). Reacts with acid chlorides, including chloroformates, to give N-acylimidazolium salts, which are useful reagents for the acylation of, for example, amino acids: Bull. Soc. Chim. Fr., 1021 (1973).
