Hydrolysis

Name:
Hydrolysis
Detailed information:
A chemical reaction in which water reacts with another substance to form two or more new substances. This involves ionization of the water molecule as well as splitting of the compound hydrolyzed, e.g., CH₃COOC₂H₅ + H₂O → CH₃COOH + C₂H₅OH. Examples are conversion of starch to glucose by water in the presence of suitable catalysts; conversion of sucrose (cane sugar) to glucose and fructose by reaction with water in the presence of an enzyme or acid catalyst; conversion of natural fats into fatty acids and glycerol by reaction with water in one process of soap manufacture; and reaction of the ions of a dissolved salt to form various products, such as acids, complex ions, etc.