In this reaction, glyoxal, ammonia, and an aldehyde or ketone are combined to form an imidazole ring. Here's an example using glyoxal, ammonia, and formaldehyde:
$$\ce{O=CH-CH=O + NH3 + H2C=O ->[H+] C3H4N2 + 2H2O}$$
$$\ce{Glyoxal + Ammonia + Formaldehyde ->
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