Isolation of 5-Hydroxy-γ-lactams from a Classical 2-Aminopyrrole Synthesis

5-hydroxy-γ-lactams have been isolated as major byproducts from a classical 2-aminopyrrole synthesis involving condensation of an in situ prepared α-aminoketone with methyl cyanoacetate. The classical 2-aminopyrrole was obtained in very low yield, or not at all. One 5-hydroxy-γ-lactam was dehydrated to the known 5-methylene-γ-lactam in good yield using thionyl chloride.