THE SYNTHESIS OF "METHIMIDOL" AND ITS DERIVATIVES——A NEW ANTILEPTOSPIROSIS DRUG.

1-(2′-Hydroxyethyl)-2-methylimidazole (Ⅲ)and its hydrochloride was found to be effective against L. icterohaemorrhagiae infection in golden hamster animal model. Ⅲ. HCl named as "Methimidel" has been effectively used in clinical therapy.Twenty-seven derivatives of Ⅲ were prepared in our laboratory. Most esters of Ⅲ and all organic salts were shown to have significant effect against L. icterohaemorrhagiae in vivo, but the latter were shown to be nonhydroscopic whereas other are.