Synthesis of a new isomer of creatinine and its use in the preparation of the food mutagen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PHIP)

Base-induced cyclization of N′-cyanomethyl-N′-methylurea gives 1-methyl-4-amino-imidazol-2-one, this in turn is condensed with 3-hydroxy-2-phenylacrolein to yield an imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine which is converted into 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PHIP).