The reaction of 4,5-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolone (I) with P2S5 in boiling xylene gives 2-mercapto-4,5-bis(p-chlorophenyl)oxazole (II), which by reaction with ethyl 2-bromopropionate (III) by means of NaH in DMF yields ethyl 2-[4,5-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-2-oxazolylmercapto]propionate (IV). Finally this compound is hydrolyzed with K2CO3 in refluxing ethanol. Compound (II) can also be obtained by cyclization of 4,4'-dichlorobenzoin (V) with HSCN (VI).