Question

What is hydrolysis?

Answer 1

The word "hydrolysis" refers to a chemical reaction involving water. It is a chemical reaction in which a molecule is broken into two by the addition of a water molecule. The additional water molecule supplies a hydrogen ion (${{H}^{+}}$ ) to one fragment of the parent molecule. Positive and negative ions are formed when the salt is broken down.

Complete step-by-step answer: When a weak acid or weak base (or both) is dissolved in water, the most common hydrolysis occurs. Negative hydroxyl ions and hydrogen ions autoionize water. Positive and negative ions are formed when the salt is broken down. In water, sodium acetate, for example, dissociates into sodium and acetate ions. The reaction of sodium ions with hydroxyl ions is very weak, while acetate ions combine with hydrogen ions.
Positive and negative ions are formed when the salt is broken down. In water, sodium acetate, for example, dissociates into sodium and acetate ions. The reaction of sodium ions with hydroxyl ions is very slow, while acetate ions combine with hydrogen ions to form neutral acetic acid, resulting in a relative excess of hydroxyl ions and a simple solution.
However, only a few reactions between water and organic compounds occur under normal conditions. In order to achieve hydrolysis where water has no effect, strong acids or bases must be added. The acid or base is referred to as a catalyst. They're supposed to speed up the reaction, but they're reclaimed at the end.

Note: The hydrolysis of amides or esters, for example, is a typical acid–base catalysed hydrolysis. The nucleophile (a nucleus-seeking agent, such as water or hydroxyl ion) attacks the carbon of the carbonyl group of the ester or amide, causing hydrolysis. Hydroxyl ions are stronger nucleophiles in an aqueous base than dipoles like acid. The carbonyl group becomes protonated in acid.