2-Trichloromethylimidazole 2, a stable but moisture-sensitive solid, is readily prepared by cyclization of the amidine 1 in trifluoroacetic acid (99+%). Compound 2 reacted with the enolates derived from 1,1-di- and monocarbonyl compounds to give the β-chlorovinyl carbonyl compounds 5a–c and 6a, b, respectively. Keywords: 2-trichloromethylimidazole, condensation reactions, mono- and dicarbonyl compounds.