3-Methyl- and 3-phenyl-5-pyrazolones were alkylated and formylated. The phenyl derivative was less reactive towards alkylation. However in the formylation step 1-n-alkyl-3-methyl- and 1-n-alkyl-3-phenyl-5-pyrazolones showed no difference in reactivity. The alkylated products exist as 5-pyrazolones in chloroform solutions and in dimethylsulfoxide their structure is a 5-hydroxy-pyrazole. Chloroform and dimethyl sulfoxide solutions of 4-formyl derivatives have a structure that is better described as 4-hydroxymethylene-5-pyrazolone