Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, Lucknow-226 007 Manuscript received 1 February 1978, revised 2 May 1978, accepted 8 July 1978 Condensation of N-alkyl or aryl piperazine with maleic, succinic and 3 or 4-nitro phthalic anhydrides in the presence of acetone or benzene yielded ��-(4-alkyl or aryl-1-piperazinyl-carbonyl) acrylic/propionic acids and 2-(4-alkyl or aryl-1-pipera��zinylcarbonyl)-3 or 4-nitro benzoic acids respectively.