Abstract Saturated aliphatic lactones and dihydrocoumarins have been characterized by the formation of their crystalline 1: 1-adducts (hydroxyalkanohydrazides) with hydrazine hydrate. A new procedure, which involves the use of azeotropic distillation to remove the water present, greatly facilitates the reaction by reducing the time required. Three macrocyclic lactones, that did not react in either of two short procedures, readily formed the same type ...
