The third-order rate constants for the pH-dependent formation of the carbinolamides generated from the reaction of formaldehyde and benzamide, 4-chloro, 4-nitro, 4-methyl and 4-methoxybenzamide, are reported. The acid-catalyzed reaction was found to occur via rate- limiting proton transfer, whereas the hydroxide-dependent reaction occurred via a specific- base process. Coupling the rate constants for carbinolamide formation reported herein ...