Hydrolysis

A reaction in which a molecule reacts with water and breaks down. You should recognize the make up of the word - hydro meaning water, and lysis, to break down. Compare this word to electrolysis. Hydrolysis reactions are often catalyzed by acids and bases.

There are many hydrolysis reactions, particularly in biochemistry. The following example shows the hydrolysis of the ester, propyl ethanoate:

CH₃COOC₃H₇(l) + H₂O(l) ⇒ CH₃COOH(l) + C₃H₇OH(l)