Abstract: In the preparation of 2,6-dimethylphenylisothiocyanate by reacting N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)acetamide with sodium hydride in an organic solvent to form the corresponding anion of said amide, then reacting carbon disulfide with said anion to form said 2,6-dimethylphenylisothiocyanate, unexpectedly high yields are obtained by using as the organic solvent tetrahydrofuran or a mixture of N,N-dimethylacetamide and toluene. 2,6-Dimethylphenylisothiocyanate is an intermediate in the preparation of xylazine useful, for instance, as a sedative, an analgesic and muscle relaxant.