Abstract: A compound having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently the same or different and are hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or an aryl group, and n is an integer which is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 3. Also provided are a compound containing a 2-valproenoic moiety, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, and methods of using them for the effective treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders.

Abstract: 4(5)-Hydroxymethyl-5(4)-methylimidazole (MHI) is prepared by a process comprising the steps of:(a) reacting 4-methylimidazole (MI) with from 1.05 to 1.1 moles of formaldehyde or an equivalent amount of paraformaldehyde per mole of MI, in a concentrated aqueous NaCl solution in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a strong inorganic base, at a temperature from about 20.degree. to about 60.degree. C.;(b) neutralizing the reaction mixture with concentrated aqueous hydrochloric acid to a pH of 8.5-8.9 to obtain a precipitate of MHI free base; and(c) separating the precipitate thus obtained from the aqueous solution and washing it with cold water or acetone.The MHI free base thus obtained can further be converted to an acid addition salt thereof.