Cytoplasmic aldehyde dehydrogenase catalyses the hydrolysis of methyl p-nitrophenyl (PNP) carbonate at an appreciable rate that is markedly stimualted by NAD+ or NADH. The nuleotides accelerate the rate-limiting hydrolysis of the acyl-enzyme intermediate while slowing the observed burst of p-nitrophenoxide production. With PNP dimethylcarbamate the enzyme catalyses the slow release of approx. 1 molecule of p-nitrophenoxide per tetrameric enzyme molecule; during the reaction the enzyme becomes effectively inactivated, as the rate of hydrolysis of the acyl-enzyme is virtually zero. The presence of NAD+, NADH, propionaldehyde, chloral hydrate, diethylstilboestrol or disulfiram slows the reaction of enzyme with PNP dimethylcarbamate. The reaction appears to be dependent on a group of pKa 7.6, possibly a cysteine residue. The effect of PNP dimethylcarbamate on the dehydrogenase activity of the enzyme is consistent with there being a single type of active site for the enzyme's dehydrogenase and esterase activities. Steric and electronic factors that govern reaction of the enzyme with PNP substrates are discussed.