A Kinetic Study of Barbital Degradation in an Ammonia Buffer System*

Abstract

The kinetics of the degradation of barbital in an ammonia buffer have been studied. The various species taking part in the parallel reactions leading to decomposition have been taken into account by means of equilibrium constants and, from this, the various second-order rate constants have been calculated. A possible mechanism for the reaction corresponding to known amide hydrolysis mechanisms is postulated.