A group of a-anilinoketones, 2-aminoalcohols, a-anilinoesters and a-anilinoamides were successfully synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The yields were, in general, moderate to good (up to 75.4%), except for the a-anilinoesters (16.9-35.6%). The a-halocarbonyl starting materials showed different chemical reactivities. a-Haloketones and a-chloroacetates afforded monoalkylation, while small a-chloroamides afforded dialkylation. Finally, NMR spectroscopy revealed interesting structural features about the 2-aminoalcohols and diphenylamides.