Imidazoline

Overview
Imidazoline is a nitrogen-containing heterocycle derived from imidazole. The ring contains an imine bond, and the carbons at the 4 and 5 positions are singly bonded, rather than doubly bonded for the case of imidazole. Imidazolines are structurally related to guanidines and amidines.



Like imidazole, imidazoline-based compounds have been used as N-heterocyclic carbene ligands on various transition metals. It is found in the commercially available second generation Grubbs' catalyst.

Biological role
Many imidazolines are biologically active. Most bio-active derivatives bear a substituent (aryl or alkyl group) on the carbon between the nitrogen centers. Some brand names include oxymetazoline, xylometazoline, tetrahydrozoline, and naphazoline.