An efficient synthesis of ethyl 2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1,3-oxazole-5-carboxylates or ethyl 5-methyl-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1,3-oxazole-4-carboxylates, under solvent-free conditions, is described via reaction between ammonium thiocyanate, acid chlorides, and ethyl bromopyruvate or ethyl 2-chloroacetoacetate in the presence of N-methylimidazole.