PRODUCTION OF SUBSTITUTED IMIDAZOLE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the subject compound useful as a precursor substance or an intermediate for producing dyestuffs, fiber auxiliaries, plastics, etc., by directly using an aqueous imidazole phase obtained on the synthesis of the substituted imidazole. SOLUTION: The aqueous phase of an imidazole compound of formula I (R , R , R are each H, a halogen, NO2 , etc.) is reacted with a compound of the formula: R -O-R (R is a 1-20C hydrocarbon; R is H or R ) in the presence of a catalyst such as the oxide of a metal belonging to the subgroup 4 in the main groups 2, 3, 4 in the periodic table, a phosphate salt, etc., at 220-550 deg.C to produce the substituted imidazole of formula II. The catalyst is used in the form of a fixed bed, and an advantageous catalyst comprises 40-99wt.% of SiO2 and 1-60wt.% of H3 PO4 , or comprises 70-90wt.% of Al2 O3 and 10-30wt.% of SiO2 . Water and the compound of formula I are used in amounts of 99.9-0.1wt.% and 0.1-99.9wt.%, especially advantageously 40-10wt.% and 60-90wt.%, respectively, in the reaction. The reaction temperature is 200-550 deg.C, especially advantageously 280-420 deg.C.