An efficient and divergent one-pot synthesis of α,α-dihaloamides from readily available β-oxoamides based on the selection of reaction conditions is reported. α,α-Dihalo-β-oxo amides were produced by treating β-oxoamides with N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) or N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in water at room temperature, whereas α,α-dihaloacetamides were synthesized by subjecting β-oxoamides to NCS or NBS in