Imidazolate
# Imidazolate

Imidazolate $(C_3H_3N^−$ $_2)$ is the conjugate base of imidazole. It is a nucleophile and a strong base. The free anion has $C_{2v}$ symmetry. Imidazole has a $pK_a$ of 14.05, so the deprotonation of imidazole $(C_3H_3N_2H)$ requires a strong base.

## Occurrence

Imidazolate is a common bridging ligand in coordination chemistry. In the zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, the metals are interconnected via imidazolates. In the enzyme superoxide dismutase, imidazolate links copper and zinc centers.

