1-Methyl-2-(2-oxazolyl)-5-nitroimidazole (4) was prepared from methyl 1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-2-carboxylate (5). The reaction of compound 5 with 2-aminoethanol gave N-(2-hydroyethyl)-1-methyl-5-nitroimidazole-2-carboxamide (7). Treatment of 7 with thionyl chloride gave 8 which was cyclized to afford 9 by treatment with a base. Oxidation of 9 with nickel peroxide afforded compound 4.