A process for the preparation of 2,2-difluoroethylamine, comprising the reaction of 2,2-difluoro-1-chloroethane with an imide of the formula (II)
in the presence of an acid scavenger, to give a compound of the formula (III)
in which, in the compounds of the formulae (II) and (III), R1 and R2 are, each independently of one another, hydrogen or C1-C6-alkyl or R1 and R2 form, together with the carbon atoms to which they are bonded, a six-membered aromatic ring which is optionally substituted; and the cleavage of 2,2-difluoroethylamine by reaction of the compound of the formula (III) with acid, base or hydrazine.