Acylation of the amine or amine hydrochloride 1-e with dithioesters and a tertiary amine base to give thioamides is carried out in solvents such as CH2Cl2, THF or preferably MeOH at temperatures in the range of 24-50??? C. Preparations of other thiocarbonyl compounds can be prepared according to the procedures described in PCT International Publication WO 98/54161.