The cis and trans lactones of cyclohexanol-2-acetic acid and cyclohexanol-2-α-propionic acid have been subjected to alkaline hydrolysis to determine the relative ease of ring opening. In addition, a new synthesis by way of a Reformatsky reaction followed by dehydration and cyclization has been shown to yield the cis lactone. Finally, the first overtone band of the fundamental carbonyl stretching frequency has been identified.