Hydrolysis

Hydrolysis, in chemistry, double decomposition effected by water, according to the general equation XY + H₂O → XOH + YH. If XY is a salt of a weak acid or a weak base, the hydrolysis is reversible, and affects the pH of the solution. Reactive organic compounds such as acid chlorides and acid anhydrides are rapidly hydrolyzed by water alone, but other compounds require acids, bases, or enzymes as catalysts. Industrial hydrolysis processes include the alkaline saponification of oils and fats to glycerol and soap, and the acid hydrolysis of starch to glucose.