A process for the preparation of a .beta.-alkoxyacrylonitrile of the formula R'O--CH.dbd.CR--CN (C) where R is hydrogen or an alkyl moiety, among others, by contacting a compound of the formula (1/.alpha.Me) O--CH.dbd.CR--CN (A) where Me is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and .alpha. is 1 or 2 respectively, an elevated temperature with a halogen compound of the formula R'Hal (B) where R' is among others a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl moiety and Hal represents chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a 3-amino-acrylonitrile of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 represent, among others, hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl by contacting a 3-alkoxyacrylonitrile or a metal salt of 3-hydroxyacrylonitrile with ammonia and/or amine. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of such 3-aminoacrylonitrile by contacting a 3-alkoxyacrylonitrile of the formula ##STR2## where R' has the meaning given above and R.sup.7 has the same meaning as R stated above with an amine of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 represent among others hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl. The application further discloses a process for preparing a 3-amino-acrylonitrile of the formula ##STR4## where R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 have the above meanings by contacting a compound of the formula ##EQU1## with an amine. The Application also discloses the preparation of two-cyanovinyl esters by reaction of a cyanovinyl compound of the formula ##EQU2## with an acid halide or an acid anhydride.