Hydrolytic Degradation of Itobarbital

The breakdown of 5-allyl,5-isobutylbarbituric acid in aqueous solution at 60, 70, and 80° in the pH range 6.7-13 has been investigated. The rate-pH profile is given and explained in terms of water or hydroxide attack on either neutral species or one or both of the dissociated forms. The rate of solvolysis was not markedly affected by phosphate or borate buffers under the conditions studied.