The cyclization of alpha-(p-chlorophenyl)acetophenone-o-carboxylic acid (I) with hydrazine sulfate by means of NaOH in water gives 4-(p-chlorobenzyl)-1-(2H)-phthalazinone (II), which is then condensed with 2-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylpyrrolidine (III) by means of NaOH in hot water.