ethanol giving the bisimidazolidin-4-one derivatives IIa-e, which hydrolize, in acidic media into the corresponding mono-imidazolidin-4-ones IIIa-e. The compounds IIa-d were converted into 1,4-benzodiazepin-2-ones, under different conditions and in the presence of a variety of agents. The yields were between 50 and 100%.