Crystal and Molecular Structure Analysis of 2-Methylimidazole

The crystal structure of the title compound, C4H6N2, has been determined using X-ray diffraction at 100 K. The crystal of 2-methylimidazole is in orthorhombic crystal system with space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) (Z = 4), lattice parameters: a = 5.9957(12) angstrom, b = 8.1574(16) angstrom and c = 9.7010(19) angstrom, V = 474.47(16) angstrom. The molecule of 2-methylimidazole is approximately planar. The maximum deviation from the least-squares imidazole plane, calculated for all non-H atoms is 0.006(2) angstrom. N-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds link the molecules together, forming infinite chains of hydrogen bond pattern C(4) defined by the graph-set analysis. Two chains, which are almost antiparallel to each other, pass through each unit cell. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of molecules forming these intersecting chains is 76.90(4)degrees. No evidence was found for disorder of the hydrogen-bonding proton between the atoms N1 and N3. The significance of this study lies in the analysis of the interactions occurring via hydrogen bonds in this structure, as well as, in the comparison drawn between the molecular structure of 2-methylimidazole and those of several of other imidazole derivatives possessing a hydrogen atom in the N1 position.