containing a basic ring nitrogen atom have been shown to undergo facile ring cleavage to afford 3-halo-1-amino propane derivatives upon exposure to alkylbromides and acyl chlorides under certain conditions. The rate of ring cleavage appears to be determined largely by the rate at which quaternization of the azetidine nitrogen atom occurs. Alkylation of NH azetidines to afford N-alkyl azetidines can be carried