Abstract: Chloro alkyl nitriles containing from about 3 to about 7 carbon atoms, such as chlorobutyronitrile, are produced in high purity by reacting the corresponding bromochloro alkane, typically 1-bromo-3-chloropropane, with alkali metal cyanide or alkaline earth metal cyanide in an aqueous system in the presence of catalyst of the formula (R).sub.4 MX wherein M is a Group V-A element; one, two or three of the R groups are lower alkyl having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or phenyl; each of the other R groups is alkyl having from 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, or phenyl; X is a compatible anion such as chlorine, iodine, or bromine atom or a hydroxyl group. Such catalysts, especially tributyl methyl ammonium chloride, bromide, or iodide are effective during the reaction and are readily removed from the product after the reaction. Organic phase product from this reaction is purified in a sequence of several steps. Preferably, it is washed with water to remove at least a part of the residual catalyst present therein.