Regiospecific synthesis of α-chloro- and α-fluoro-1,2-diones

α-Chloro-1,2-diones and α-fluoro-1,2-diones were prepared from the corresponding α-chloroaldimines by a sequence of reactions involving cyanation to α-cyanoenamines, α-halogenation to form α-chloro- or α-fluoroimidoyl cyanides and addition of organolithium reagents across the nitrile moiety, followed by acidic hydrolysis. All steps are straightforward and occur without side reactions finally leading to regiospecifically chlorinated and fluorinated 1,2-diones in good yields.