Imidazole Purification Solution

Imidazole is a colorless crystal or white powder that exhibits good stability at room temperature but can undergo decomposition reactions under high temperatures or in the presence of strong acids or bases. Imidazole is an important intermediate in organic synthesis and can be used as a curing agent for epoxy resins, in the production of antifungal agents, artificial plasma, insecticides, and more. It finds extensive applications across the chemical, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.

YHCHEM SOLUTION

A new materials company in Shandong encountered challenges in the purification process of imidazole. The raw material contains not only imidazole but also 25% methylimidazole, water, and other impurities. The goal is to completely remove water and achieve a product purity of over 99% for imidazole. However, the minimal boiling point difference between impurities and the product, combined with some decomposition of the material at boiling temperatures, has created significant obstacles for the project.

The YHCHEM technical team proposed a solution of water removal followed by purification. First, falling film evaporation equipment is used to completely remove water. Then, thin-film distillation equipment is employed to precisely control the temperature and minimize the residence time of the material within the evaporator. This approach ensures high product purity while preventing thermal decomposition of the material.