The compound studied is 1, 2-dimethyl-4-nitro-5-morpholinoimidazole (1) in its anhydrous (1) and hydrated [(1)· H2O] crystal forms. In spite of the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the nitro group, the unsubstituted N atom of the imidazole moiety retains its basic character and acts as an acceptor for intermolecular hydrogen bonds: either weak C—H⋯ N bonds in (1) or strong O—H⋯ N bonds, with the water molecules, in (1)· H2O. The packing in (1) is ...
