Synthesis and ocular effects of imidazole nitrolic acids.

Novel 1-R-imidazole-2-nitrolic acids and 1-R-imidazole-5-nitrolic acids (R: H, Me, Bn) were synthesized from oximes by treatment with a mixture of fuming nitric acid and acetic acid. The effects of these potential nitric oxide-donating compounds were tested on ocular variables such as intraocular pressure and formation of cyclic guanosine-3,5'-monophosphate in the incubation of porcine iris-ciliary body.