Abstract The reaction of mercaptoacetic acid with nitriles was investigated. Whereas 4- hydroxythiazole derivative could be obtained from the reaction of benzoylacetonitrile and of ethyl cyanoacetate with mercaptoacetic acid, a bithiazole derivative was obtained on treatment of benzonitrile with the same reagent. The behaviour of the synthesised thiazole derivatives towards aromatic aldehydes and hydrazines is reported.
