II, XH as intermediates for making the desired N-arylmercaptoacetamides 11.'The known compounds of this type2 have been obtained by interaction of an aromatic amine with thiocyanoacetic acid: Ar-NH2+ COOH-CHz-SCN= Ar-NH-CO-CH2-S-CONH2, this acid being usually generated during the reaction from chloroacetic acid and an alkali thi~ cyanate.~ In a few instances, however, interaction of the base with the free acid in ether, 4 ...