Glycolaldehyde was condensed with 2-hydroxyethylhydrazine to yield hydrazone 2 which has been hydrogenated (Pd/C catalyst) to produce the title compound (3). The tetraacetyl and N, N'-diacetyl derivatives of 3 (7 and 8, respectively) and the oxidation product, bis (2- hydroxyethy1) diazene (6), are described. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the new compounds, including rotamers of 8, are discussed.
