The importance and the effect of neighboring groups on the hydrolysis of polymeric esters were demonstrated. Several oligomers of poly(butylene tartrate) were synthesized, and their kinetic behavior was studied under alkaline conditions. The oligomers and their degradation products were monitored by HPLC and identified by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The rates of hydrolysis measured at pH 5-8 and at 75 degrees C indicate that the degradation of the oligomers obeyed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The rate of hydrolysis among the homologous series of oligomers increased as the molecular weight increased. However, the increase in hydrolysis rate was not proportional to the number of ester linkages in the oligomers. This deviation was explained on the basis of electrostatic repulsion of the neighboring carboxylate group toward the hydroxide ion. The calculations revealed that the electrostatic effect was so great that the ester linkage adjacent to the carboxylate anion did not contribute to the overall rate of hydrolysis. The technique presented here can be extended to any multifunctional-group compound that has repeat units and can undergo a specific reaction that can be accurately measured.