Azoles are a class of organic compounds that contain a five-membered ring with at least one nitrogen atom. They are commonly used in pharmaceuticals and agriculture, particularly as antifungal agents. The two main types of azoles are imidazoles and triazoles, which differ in their chemical structure and properties. In medicine, azoles are effective in treating fungal infections by inhibiting the synthesis of ergosterol, a vital component of fungal cell membranes. This disruption leads to the death of the fungus, making azoles important in managing conditions like athlete's foot and candidiasis.