Abstract The hydrolysis kinetics of 3-methyl-1, 3-thiazolidine-2, 4-dione have been studied in aqueous buffers and dilute NaOH solutions. The reaction proceeds via two base-catalyzed steps having different rates. In sodium methoxide solutions 3-methyl-1, 3-thiazolidine-2, 4- dione undergoes one-step methanolysis giving methyl thioglycolate anion as the final product. The rate-limiting step consists in decomposition of the anion CH 3 NCOSCH 2 ...