(Z)-1-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-4-(2-methoxybenzylidene)-2-methyl-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one

In the title compound, C14H16N2O3, an analog of the chromophore in green fluorescent protein, the methoxyphenyl substituent and the imidazole N adopt a Z conformation with respect to the C = C bond. Aside from the hydroxyethyl group, the molecule is approximately planar, with the five- and six-membered ring planes forming a dihedral angle of 9.3 (1)degrees. An intramolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot N contact occurs. In the crystal, O-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds link the molecules, forming chains along the b-axis direction. C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds are also observed.