Publication

Abstract : Imidazoles are a widely studied class of heterocyclic compounds with significant biological and pharmacological relevance, including applications as fungicides, herbicides, and therapeutic agents. The title compound, C8H12ClN3O3 (I), is a structural analogue and impurity of the anti-protozoal drug metronidazole, making it valuable for mechanistic and drug development studies. Here, we report its crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Crystals of I are triclinic, space-group type P 1, with two independent molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit, each exhibiting chloroethoxyethyl chain disorder over two conformations. Both molecules have essentially planar methyl-nitro-1H-imidazole cores, with conformational variation arising from the side chains. The structure lacks conventional hydrogen bonds but features several weak C—H...O, C—H...N, and C—H...Cl interactions, connecting molecules into dimers and layers parallel to the ac-plane. Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals that the molecular environments of A and B are similar and dominated by contacts involving hydrogen.