The alkylation of α,ω-dibromoalkanes, with the sodium salt of succinimide, followed by the reduction with sodium borohydride gives the respective N-ω-bromoalkyl-5-hydroxy-2-pyrrolidinones. These substrates are precursors of N-acyliminium ions under acidic conditions. The condensation of these intermediates with ethylmalonate in the presence of TiCl4 and diisopropylethylamine following the intramolecular