Oxazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, prazepam, and dipotassium chlorazepate have been quantitatively hydrolyzed in 6 M HCL to their respective benzophenones using a microwave oven with 520 W power and a digestion time of 8 mm. The hydrolysis yield obtained in each case corresponds to 103, 117, 98, 115, 97, and 97%, respectively. Chlorazepate has been used as a test molecule to evaluate the effect of the digestion parameters, such as power and digestion time, on the hydrolysis yield. To determine benzophenones in the presence of benzodiazepines, in order to establish the hydrolysis yield, derivative ultraviolet spectrometry has been employed, using the isodifferential approach. © 1994 Academic Press. All rights reserved.