The aminolysis reactions of phenyl dithioacetates with anilines (AN), N, N-dimethylanilines (DMA), and benzylamines (BA) in acetonitrile are investigated. The mechanism is relatively simple, involving a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate, T±, and is uncomplicated by the fast proton transfer step which may become rate limiting in the aminolysis of thiono and dithio esters and carbonates with poor leaving groups in water. The mechanism changes from ...