2-Fluorinated methyl aminoacetonitriles are prepared by treating a corresponding fluorinated methyl ketimine magnesium halide with hydrogen cyanide or with an alkali metal cyanide or ammonium cyanide and a proton source.
Certain .alpha.-(fluoromethyl or difluoromethyl)-.alpha.-aminoacetonitriles are prepared by treating the appropriate .alpha.-(fluoromethyl or difluoromethyl) ketimine magnesium halide with hydrogen cyanide or with an alkali metal cyanide or ammonium cyanide and a proton source. The products are useful as intermediates for making .alpha.-(fluoromethyl or difluoromethyl)-.alpha.-amino acids having pharmacological activity.