Abstract Ring opening of the glycidonitriles (II a–e) by HF/pyridine leads to the fluorocyanohydrins (III a–e). Treatment of the fluorocyanohydrins with ammonia in anhydrous methanol gives the α-amino-β-fluoronitriles (IV a–e) which upon acidic hydrol sis afford the β-fluoro-α-aminoacids (V a–e) in good overall yield.
