Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process and product involving the manufacture in advantageously high yields of imidazole compounds corresponding to the general formula: ##STR1## wherein a preferred embodiment of the process comprises contacting a diamine salt of the formula ##STR2## with a biscarbonyl compound of the structure ##STR3## in an acid medium, wherein R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each represents hydrogen or any group which does not hinder the cyclization reaction or lead to degradation of the reactants or imidazole products, and A.sup.- is an anion equivalent such as that of mineral acids, sulfonic acids and carboxylic acids.