The two (±)-2-arylpropanoic acids ibuprofen and naproxen are conveniently prepared via conversion of methyl aryl ketones into the cyanohydrin acetates by reaction with cyanotrimethylsilane in the presence of zinc iodide or with chlorotrimethylsilane/ potassium cyanide followed by O-acetylation, deacetoxylation by catalytic hydrogenation, and alkaline hydrolysis of the cyano group.