The@-benzyl esters of N-carbobenzyloxyaspartyl amides and peptides were found to undergo rapid saponification in dioxane-water mixtures. A study of the saponification rates of a number of these derivatives revealed a strong rate dependence on the nature of the particular amide or peptide. A general mechanism for these saponifications involving the formation of an imide intermediate is proposed. The intermediate has been detected both ...
