Synthesis of 2-methyl-4(5)-nitro[¹⁵N¹⁽³)]imidazole from 2-methyl-4(5)-nitroimidazole

A simple four-stage conversion of 2-methyl-4(5)-nitroimidazole to 2-methyl-4(5)-nitro[¹⁵N¹⁽³⁾]imidazole is reported. The method consists in N-nitration of the initial compound to 2-methyl-1.4-dimtroimidazole, treating the latter with [¹⁵N]glycine and N-dealkylation of the obtained (2-methyl-4-nitro[¹⁵N¹]imidazol-1-yl)acetic acid through its bromination in the presence of phosphorus trichloride, followed by the hydrolysis of the non-isolated intermediate.