Reaction of N-nitroso (2-methy1amino) acetonitrile (I) with gaseous hydrogen chloride in dry methanol, ethanol. or ether is a fast reaction that yields 3-methyl-5-amino-1, 2, 3- oxadiazolium chloride (VI) virtually quantitatively. A pathway for the conversion of I to VI involving anchimeric assistance by the nitroso group is suggested. With aqueous base at pH 8-11, VI is reversibly converted to I, but at pH 11.5-14 VI is converted to N-nitrososarcosine ...
