Abstract Methyl N-phenyl ethanimidothioate 1 and its α-silylated homologue 2 are metallated into lithiated enaminates which can be regioselectively mono-alkylated at-78° C on the α-carbon atom. Imidothioester 2, treated at higher temperatures by 2 equivalents of Buli, leads, after alkylation or hydrolysis, to stable silylated N-phenyl ketenimines. Formation of ketenimines are also observed by flash thermolysis of 2 or of the silylated S, N-ketene ...