When 4-methyl-7-nitro-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepin-2-one were reacted with phosphorus pentasulfide, the corresponding benzodiazepine-2-thione and its thiol tautomer were formed, which via the 2-methylmercapto derivative were converted to 4-(2-acetylhydrazino)-2-methyl-8-nitro-2,3-dihydro-1H-1,5-benzodiazepine.