The decomposition of para-substituted N-benzoylaziridines (H, OCH,, NOz, Br) in buffered aqueous media is studied at 25 OC as a function of pH in order to assess the effect of N- pyramidalization on the hydrolytic reactivity of the amide bond. Overall, the reaction shows three dominant terms: OH-and HzO attack on the neutral form and HzO attack on the protonated form of the amide. In base, the exclusive reaction is rate-limiting and ...