To a solution of 2-(1-benzyl-5-methyl-4-imidazolyl)-1,3-dithian-5-one (11.2 g., 0.0368 mole) in methanol (50 ml.) and water (20 ml.) is added sodium acetate (3.1 g.) and hydroxylamine hydrochloride (2.6 g., 0.037 mole). The reaction is stirred at ambient temperature for 5 hours. The mixture is diluted with chloroform, washed with water, dried and evaporated to give a solid crude product (11.1 g.), 2-(1-benzyl-5-methyl-4-imidazolyl)-1,3-dithian-5-one oxime, which is used as is in the following steps.
