The alkaline hydrolysis of alkyl alkylphosphinate and alkyl phenylphosphinates have been studied at room temperature. The hydrolysis proceeded as an one-stage reaction(SN 2) and involved a nucleophilic attack of the hydroxyl ion on the phosphorus atom. And the length of the alkoxy group in the phosphinate esters affected on hydrolysis. Therefore, the alkaline hydrolysis may be used as a method to decompose the chemical agents.