A novel ring transformation/desulfurization of substituted 2-methyl-1, 2, 4-thiadiazolium salts 2 provides a versatile entry to imidazoles 3 with a variety of substituents. Simple one-pot procedures combine the preparation of starting 1, 2, 4-thiadiazolium salts 2 from N- (thiocarbonyl)-N'-methylamidines 1 or 1, 2, 4-dithiazolium triiodides 6 with the ring transformation/desulfurization to the imidazoles 3. Alternatively, N-(thiocarbonyl)-N'- ...
