This compound can be obtained by two related ways: The reaction of cyclopentanone (I) with ethyl cyanoacetate (II) by means of HOAc/NH4OAc gives the cyclopentylidene derivative (III), which by reaction with KCN yields 1-(cyanomethyl)cyclopentanecarbonitrile (IV). The hydrolysis of (IV) with HCl affords the dicarboxylic acid (V), which by reaction with Ac2O affords the corresponding cyclic anhydride (VI). Finally, the reaction of (VI) with O-benzyl hydroxylamine hydrochloride and NaHCO3 provides the target compound. Alternatively, the cyclic anhydride (VI) is treated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and Na2CO3 to gives the N-hydroxyimide (VIII), which is converted into its sodium salt (IX) by means of NaOEt in EtOH, and finally alkylated with benzyl chloride (X) to provide the target compound.