Methyl 2-fluorolactates and 3-fluorocyanohydrins were found to give respectively 3-fluoro 1,2-diols and 3-fluoroethanolamine derivatives by direct reduction of carboxylic groups and cyano groups using lithium aluminium hydride in ether solution. Treatment of 3-fluoro-2-tosyloxynitriles with tetra n-butylammonium bromide gives 3-fluoro-2-bromonitriles.