A novel synthesis of α-fluoroacetonitriles. Application to a convenient preparation of 2-fluoro-2-phenethylamines

α-Fluorophenylacetonitriles (3) are readily prepared by the treatment of the corresponding benzaldehyde cyanohydrin trimethylsilylethers (2) with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST). This method for the introduction of fluorine alpha to a cyano group is also applicable to the cyanohydrin trimethylsilylethers of aromatic ketones. Diborane reduction of the α-fluorophenylacetonitriles (3) yields 2-fluoro-2-phenethylamines (4).