A new series of N-(acyloxy)-N-alkoxybenzamides, N-(benzoyloxy)-N-(benzyloxy) benzamides 7 have been synthesized and have been found to be direct acting mutagens in Salmonella TA100. They undergo AAl1 solvolysis to give N-benzoyl-N-(benzyloxy) nitrenium ions 3 under conditions of acid catalysis as well as unusual BAl2 reactions at nitrogen with hydroxide. The latter process affords as intermediates the anomeric hydroxamic esters 4 ...