The title compound is prepared by two related procedures. 1-Cyano-6,6-dimethyl-3-(methylthio)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo[c]thiopen-4-one (I) is oxidized to the corresponding sulfone (II) employing m-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA). Subsequent displacement of the methylsulfonyl group of (II) with the sodium salt of 2-mercaptoethanol leads to the hydroxyethyl sulfide (III). Addition of SH2 to the nitrile (III) in the presence of Et3N and pyridine gives rise to thioamide (IV). This is finally condensed with chloroacetaldehyde in boiling EtOH to furnish the target thiazole compound. Alternatively, nitrile (I) is first treated with SH2 in Et3N/pyridine to yield thioamide (V). Then, cyclization of (V) with chloroacetaldehyde provides thiazole (VI) . The sulfide group of (VI) is further oxidized to sulfone (VII) by means of mCPBA. Finally, displacement of the methylsulfonyl group of (VII) with 2-mercaptoethanol leads to the title hydroxyethyl sulfide.