N-Cyanomethyl-β-chloroamines: a convenient source of aziridinium ions

N-Cyanomethyl-β-chloroamines smoothly react with a range of alcohols or amines to give regio- and stereoselectively 1,2-aminoethers or 1,2-diamines. The reaction proceeds through the formation of an intermediate aziridinium ion. The N-cyanomethyl group can then be cleaved easily.