The desired hydrazino amidines 4a-c were obtained from dihydro-1, 5-benzodiazepinone derivatives la-d via the route shown in the Scheme. Compounds la-d were prepared according to the literature methods.'Lactams la-c were transformed into the corresponding thiolactams 2a-c using Lawesson's reagent. The interaction of Id with thionation agents did not proceed smoothly. The variation of the reaction temperature, time, solvents and agents ...