Abstract: A process for the production of a substituted amide of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is an optionally substituted aryl group, X.sup.1 is --O-- or --S-- and R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl group or X.sup.1 R.sup.2 is an N-linked 5-membered nitrogen heterocycle comprising the halogenation, preferably bromination, in an inert solvent of a N-cyanomethyl-amide of the formula R.sup.1 --CONH.CH.sub.2 CN, followed by addition to the halogenated mixture, or to the mixture as halogenation is taking place, of a heterocyclic tertiary amine in a proportion of from about 1.0 to about 2.5 moles, and preferably from 1.3 to 2.1 moles, for each mole of halogen reacted, and finally treatment of the resulting quaternary salt with an alcohol, thiol or amine of the formula R.sup.2 X.sup.1 H.