Abstract The mechanism of the reactions of 1-t-butyl-2-carbomethoxyazelidine and 1-benzyl- 2-carbomethoxyazetidine with hydrazine hydrate was investigated. Treatment of 1-alkyl-2- earbomethoxyazetidine with hydrazine hydrate in cold ethanol yielded 1-alkylazetidine-2- carhohydrazide. Depending on the sterie bulkiness of the alkyl group of the amino functionality, reactions of 1-alkylazetidine-2-carbohydrazides in methanol gave the ...