It is a white or colorless solid that is highly soluble in polar organic solvents and water.

[1] 2-Methylimidazole is a sterically hindered imidazole that is used to simulate the coordination of histidine to heme complexes.

[2] 2-Methylimidazole is a precursor to the several members of the nitroimidazole antibiotics that are used to combat anaerobic bacterial and parasitic infections.

[3][1] It has low toxicity with an LD50 (rat, oral) of 1300 mg/kg, but it is strongly irritating to the skin and eyes.

[1] 2-Methylimidazole is a REACH Regulation Candidate Substance of Very High Concern due to its endocrine disrupting properties.