Abstract
(S,R)-4(5)-[1-(2,3-Dimethylphenyl)ethyl]imidazole 5 is prepared in 41 % yield, by a new reliable method from readily available starting materials. The separation of the enantiomers proceeds through the selective crystallisation of the (±)-tartrate of the (S) enantiomer 6 in the presence of the (R) enantiomer free base.