Analyzing the efficiency in intramolecular amide hydrolysis of Kirby's N-alkylmaleamic acids - A computational approach

► In this study we calculated the hydrolysis kinetics of seven N-alkylmaleamic acids. ► The study revealed that the rate-limiting step dependent on the reaction solvent. ► The study demonstrated that the leaving group has a vast impact on the mechanism. ► Linear correlation was found between activation and strain energies. ► The reaction efficiency is sensitive to the substitution on the CC double bond.