Abstract: A method of conversion of thioimidates into amidines includes reacting a starting material compound including a thioimidate with a nitrogen-containing reagent to form a product compound including an amidine in place of the thioimidate in the starting material compound. The nitrogen-containing reagent includes a primary amine, a secondary amine, an ammonium salt, or a combination thereof. The thioimidate includes —S—R1, wherein R1 is substituted or unsubstituted (C1-C20)hydrocarbyl. A method of forming a cyclized product includes intramolecularly reacting an amidine with a carbonyl carbon to form the cyclized product including a 4H-imidazolone and/or a derivative thereof.