Imidazolinones or imidazolones are a family of heterocyclic compounds, the parents of which have the formula C3H4N2O, where the two nitrogen atoms are nonadjacent. Two isomers are possible, depending on the location of the carbonyl (CO) group. A common route to imidazol-2-ones involves condensation of ureas and acyloins. Some are of interest in the pharmaceuticals. 4-Imidazolones arise from the condensation of amidines with 1,2-dicarbonyls such as glyoxal.
Imidazolinone herbicides work by inhitibing acetolactate synthase and belong to the HRAC class of Group B (Australian, Global), Group 2 (numeric). These herbicides include imazapic, imazamethabenz-methyl, imazamox, imazapyr, imazaquin and imazethapyr.
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