JPS5822087B

PURPOSE:To hydrolyze a carboxylic ester effectively under mild conditions, e.g. weakly to slightly alkaline, without heating, by accelerating the alkali hydrolysis of the ester in the presence of a purine compound as a cocatalyst. CONSTITUTION:A carboxylic ester is hydrolyzed with an alkali, commonly used for the reaction, in the presence of a purine compound, preferably at least one selected from purine, 6-methyl-, 7-methyl-, and 6-dimethylaminopurines, and adenosine, under weakly alkaline conditions of pH 8-10. This method permits the efficient hydrolysis under mild conditions without requiring a high alkalinity and heating, and is useful for selective hydrolysis under weakly to slightly alkaline conditions or the case, where by-products are formed under strongly alkaline conditions or the objective compound is further decomposed.