Addition of NH2NH2 or NH2OH to ethyl thioacetoacetate to form the corresponding cyclic product, 3-methylpyrazol-5-one or 3-methylisoxazol-5-one proceeds via cyclization of the carbinolamine formed by addition to the β-keto carbon, ie, cyclization is faster than dehydration of the carbinolamine to form the imine. In contrast the corresponding carbinolamine derived from ethylacetoacetate undergoes dehydration faster than ...