The reaction of 4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)acetophenone (I) with dimethyl carbonate (III) by means of NaH in THF gives methyl 4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-beta-oxobenzenepropanoate (III), which by condensation with ethyl bromoacetate (IV) by means of NaH in THF is converted into ethyl 4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl-beta-(methoxycarbonyl)-gamma-oxobenzenebutanoate (V). Hydrolytic decarboxylation of (VI) in refluxing 6N HCl yields 4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-gamma-oxobenzenebutanoic acid (VI), which is finally cyclized with hydrazine in refluxing ethanol.