Chloroacetyl chloride → 2-Chloro-N-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)acetamide

A mixture of 105.1 grams (g) (1.0 moles) of aminoacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, 80 g (1.0 moles) of a 50% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide, and 200 ml dichloromethane are placed in a 1 liter flask fitted with a stirrer and thermometer. To this is added 113.0 g (1.0 moles) of chloroacetyl chloride dropwise with rapid stirring at 0°-10° C. After the addition is complete, the reaction is allowed to rise to room temperature and is stirred for 1 hour. Next the mixture is washed with 100 ml water, 100 ml sodium carbonate solution and 100 ml water, followed by drying and evaporation to give 113.8 g (63% yield) of the title compound, m.p. 33°-36° C.