Aldimines are conveniently metallated, at a position α to the functional group, by using very powerful bases i.e. activated lithium dialkylamides generated in situ from lithium and a secondary amine in benzene/hexamethylphosphoric triamide. The anions obtained are alkylated with various ω,ω′-dihalogenoalkanes to give, after aqueous acid hydrolysis, good yields of ω-halogenated aldehydes and dialdehydes