Synthesis of a range of 1, 2, 4-triazolin-5-ones has been carried out by thermally induced cyclization of 1-aryl/alkyl-2-alkyl isothiobiureas 4. The required isothiobiureas were generated in situ by the reaction of alkyl halides with 1-aryl/alkyl-2-thiobiureas 3 in acidic medium at reflux. The reaction proceeds after S-alkylation of the thiobiureas and is demonstrated by the isolation of the alkyl isothiobiurea intermediates and their ...