Abstract: Amide hydrolysis in 4-nitro-3-carboxytrifluoroacetanilide (1) is catalyzed by poly (ethy1enimines). The rate-controlling step is the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate, breakdown of which is catalyzed by the conjugate acid and base forms of the amine groups of the polymers. As estimated from the pH profiles of k,,,, the rate of hydroxide attack is 6-180 times greater in the polymer milieu than in bulk water. This enhancement in rate is largely ...