Abstract: Process for the production of 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl acetamide. A 4-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.2)-alkoxy-3-pyrrolin-2-on-1-yl-acetic acid (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl ester of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl having 1 or 2 C atoms and R.sub.2 is alkyl having 1 to 4 C atoms, is reacted with either trichloromethylsilane in the presence of an alkali iodide or in an acid anhydrous medium to a 2,4-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetic acid (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl ester. The latter is optionally isolated and then hydrogenated with sodium borohydride to a 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetic acid (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl ester. Finally, the 4-hydroxy-2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl-acetic acid (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl ester is converted by amidation with ammonia to the desired end product.