A large number oj' preparatively interesting compounds have become readily available by the simultaneous action of sulfur and amnror?ia or amines on ketones. Direct syntheses of A3-thiazolines, d3-irnidazoline-5-thiones, 5,6-dihydro-4H-1,4-thiazines, and the 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexathiocane system from ketones, sulfur, and ammonia or amines, and further possibilities for rfze synthesis of these heterocyclic systems have been proposed. Other heterocycles containing N or N and S (thiazoles, thiophenes, thiazolidines, tetrahydro-thiazol0[2,3-~]-1,4-thiazines, thiomorpholines, 4-arniizo-2H-imidazoles, etc.) are readily obtainable by further reactions of these compounds. Hydrolysis of the A3-thiazolines yieIds a-mercapto ketones, which are the starting materials for other syntheses. Most of the syntheses described proceed ut room temperature and at noririni pressure.