Abstract 2-Aryl-4, 5-dioxopyrrolidine-3-carboxylate and 5-aryl-2, 4-dioxopyrrolidine-3- carboxylate derivatives were successfully synthesized via carbonyl-based multiple component reaction and Dieckmann cyclization, respectively. Successive functional group transformations which include decarboxylation and hydrazonation afforded 2-oxo-5-aryl-3- hydrazone and 2-oxo-5-aryl-4-hydrazone derivatives. Compound 3d exhibited activity ...