Preparation of thiazoles

A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula

• or, where applicable, an E/Z-isomer, a mixture of E,Z-isomers, a tautomer and/or an acid addition product thereof, in each case in free form or in salt form, wherein
• R is unsubstituted or substituted C1-C12alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C2-C4alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted C2-C4alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C3-C6cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl, or —SR1;
• R1 is unsubstituted or substituted C1-C12alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted C2-C4alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted C2-C4alkynyl, unsubstituted or substituted C3-C6cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or substituted aryl or unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl;
• and
• X is a selected from halogen or a sulfonate;
• which comprises
• reacting a compound of the formula
• wherein R is as defined for formula (I), or, where applicable, an E/Z-isomer, a mixture of E/Z-isomers, a tautomer and/or an acid addition product thereof, in each case in free form or in salt form,
• with a halogenating agent or sulfonylating agent;
• and if desired,
• separating a mixture of E/Z-isomers, obtainable in accordance with the process, and isolating the desired isomer;
• and/or
• converting a free compound of the formula (I), obtainable in accordance with the process, or, where applicable, an E/Z-isomer, a mixture of E/Z-isomers, a tautomer and/or an acid addition product thereof, into a salt;
• or
• converting a salt, obtainable in accordance with the process, or, where applicable, an E/Z-isomer, a mixture of E/Z-isomers, or a tautomer thereof, into the free compound of the formula (I) or, into a different salt.