Abstract Reactions of 4-alkylidene (arylidene)-1-phenylpyrazolidine-3, 5-dione with oxidizing (chromium trioxide/acetic acid) as well as with reducing (sodium borohydride/methanol) agents were carried out. Phenylhydrazine reacted with 4-arylidene-1- phenylpyrazolidine-3, 5-diones via fission of exo C= C bond to give 1-phenylpyrazolidine-3, 5-dione and the corresponding aryl hydrazones.