Reduction of oximes 4, obtained from 1,5 di-hydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones 3, with Raney nickel ''generated in situ'' afforded pyrrolo [3,2b] pyrrolone derivatives 6 and 7 and in some cases, amines 5, The reduction of 4 with W7 Rang nickel afforded only amines 5. Mechanistic aspects of these reductions were investigated The formation of 6 and 7 is attributed to the deactivation of the catalyst by sodium hydroxide. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd52401291912930