The reaction of arylisothiocyanates with triethylamine and acylhydrazides in the presence of mercuric acetate has been studied. The reaction proceeds through the formation of thiourea, followed by a sequential addition-dehydration with acylhydrazides. The initial detection of thiourea, which mediates the formation of disubstituted 1, 2, 4-triazoles, is explained by a plausible mechanism.
