2-Halogeno substituted N-cyanomethyl-N-methylbenzamides 1a-1i were investigated in a correlation analysis by ir spectroscopy to determine the conformational behavior. Compound 1h gives 4-methyl-2-methylthio-8-nitro-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1,4-benzothiazepine-3-carbonitrile 3 by dithiocarboxylation procedure whereas 1b was not able to react to heterocyclic seven-membered ring system.