Substituted 2-(benzylamino)-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-ones are unstable under alkaline and acidic conditions, undergoing opening of the benzoxazinone ring. 2-Bromo-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-ones show similar degradation under alkaline conditions, while replacement of Br at C(2) to give 2-hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-ones was observed only under mild alkaline conditions. Mechanisms of ring opening and degradation to 2-aminophenol derivatives are proposed.