3-Acylamino-5-amino-1-R-1,2,4-triazoles are formed regioselectively on acylating 3,5-diamino-1-R-1,2,4-triazoles with an equimolar amount of anhydrides, carboxylic acid chlorides, and sulfonyl chlorides. With an excess of anhydride and carboxylic acid chloride 3,5-diacylamino-1-R-1,2,4-triazoles are formed. 3-Acylamino-5-amino-1-R-1,2,4-triazoles do not interact with sulfonyl chlorides. The higher reactivity of the 3-amino group towards acylating agents is determined by electronic and not steric factors. ©2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.