Abstract The reaction of chloroacetic acid with thiourea represents an SN 2 substitution of chlorine by sulphur atom and is about two orders of magnitude slower than that of bromoacetic acid. Chloroacetate ion reacts slower than chloroacetic acid only about 30%. The acid catalyzed splitting off of hydroxyl group from the formed tetrahedral intermediate is rate-limiting in the cyclization of the S-carboxylatomethyleneisothiouronium salt, formation ...