The neutralization of 5-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyl-2-imidazolinium chlorides yields in the free state the products of the covalent hydration of the corresponding 4H-imidazoles — 5-hydroxy-4, 4-dimethyl-2-imidazolines. On being heated, the compounds obtained undergo various transformations, depending on the presence and position of oxygen-containing functions: 5-hydroxy-2-imidazoline gives 2-acetylamino-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-ol; 3,5-dihydroxy-2-imidazoline dehydrates to 4H-imidazole 3-oxide; and 1,5-dihydroxy-2-imidazolines are converted into 2,3-dihydro-4H-1,2,5-oxadiazines.