The reaction of 4-cyano-3-(trifluoromethyl)aniline (I) with phosgene afforded isocyanate (II). Subsequent condensation with 2-amino-2-methylpropionitrile (III) in the presence of Et3N in dichloroethane yielded the iminoimidazolidinone (IV), which was hydrolyzed to hydantoin (V) with refluxing 0.5 M HCl. Finally, alkylation with bromoacetonitrile (VI) in the presence of NaH in DMF provided the cyanomethyl compound.