Abstract Preparation of the trimethylsilyl ethers of 1-alkyl-3-azetidinols from non-hindered primary amines and epichlorohydrin by conversion of the intermediate 1-(alkylamino)-3- chloro-2-propanols to their trimethylsilyl ethers by either N-(trimethylsilyl) acetamide or by 1- (trimethylsilyl) imidazole followed by ring closure in acetonitrile is described. This sequence of reactions fails for aromatic amines, but appears to be general for all primary aliphatic ...