Abstract 2??(3H) Benzothiazolethiones (2??mercaptobenzothiazole) are prepared by an improved method, which utilizes microwave??assisted cyclization of the corresponding ortho?? haloanlines with potassium O??ethyl dithiocarbonate. By using microwave irradiation, the relative reactivity of 2??chloroanilines was greatly improved to the same level as that of 2?? fluoroanilines and 2??bromoanilines.