Hydroxylactams 6a−c and 7a−c were synthesized by successive regioselectivereductions of arylideneaminophthalimides 3a−c, which were easily available from aminophthalimide 1 and benzaldehyde (2a) or thiophenecarboxaldehydes 2b and 2c. N-Acylhydrazonium ions III, generated in the presence of Lewis acid from acetoxy derivatives 8a and 9a of hydroxylactams 6a and 7a, or in organic acid medium directly