The reaction of amidoximes 1 with 1,1(')-thiocarbonyldiimidazole (TCDI) fol
lowed by treatment with silica gel or boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (B
F3. OEt3) provided 3-substituted 4,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1,2,4-thiadiazoles 2 in
moderate yields. The Lewis acids are considered to promote the rearrangemen
t of the thioxocarbamate intermediates 5 to the thiolcarbamate intermediate
s 7, which cyclize to afford 4,5-dihydro-5-oxo1,2,4-thiadiazoles 2.