Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 120 K; mean (C-C) = 0.001 Å; R factor = 0.044; wR factor = 0.127; data-to-parameter ratio = 32.9.The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C 17 H 15 NO 4 , contains two independent molecules with similar geometric parameters. In both molecules, the conformation of the cyclohexene ring is half-chair, while the pyrrolidinone ring adopts an envelope conformation with the -carbon atom of the -pyrrolidinone ring as the flap. In the crystal, O-HÁ Á ÁO hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic and carbonyl groups link alternate independent molecules into chains propagating in the b-axis direction. The crystal packing also features weak C-HÁ Á Á interactions.