Abstract Action of primary amines on vic-halo-thiocyanato alkenes R 1-C (-SCN)= CX-R 2 affords 2-amino 1, 3-thiazoles, the cyclisation taking place with migration of the sulphur altom on the C C bond; thus 2-cyclohexylamino 5-propyl 1, 3-thiazole is obtained from 2- bromo 1-thiocyanato 1-pentene and cyclohexylamine.