The reaction of hexachloroacetone (HCA) with ethylenediamine gave N,N'-ethylenebistrichloroacetamide as a white solid at room temperature in high yield. The molecular structure of the white solid has been determined by X-ray diffraction confirmed that the ethylene group is bridging two trichloroacetamido units. The same reactivity was also observed with aromatic amines such as aniline and phenylenediamines as well as hexamethylenediamine. For example, a reaction between HCA and aniline gave N-phenyltrichloroacetamide at 80�C.