a method for preparing an alkoxyethylidene - substituted aryl hydrazine having the formula ## str1 ## and thereafter cyclizing the same with a cyanate salt under mildly acidic conditions in the presence of an organic solvent , optionally in the presence of a cyclization - aiding amount of water , to form an aryl triazolinone of the formula ## str2 ## wherein x is independently hydrogen , halogen , lower alkyl , lower alkoxy , nitro , hydroxy , -- nhso 2 r 1 , -- nr 1 so 2 r 1 , or -- n 2 , where r 1 is lower alkyl ; r is lower alkyl , and each r is the same ; and n is an integer of from 1 - 3 , which triazolinones are useful as intermediates for preparing herbicides .