Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction in which water reacts with another compound to split it apart. Appropriately, this process takes its name from the Greek expression meaning "breaking up with water." Hydrolysis occurs because water forms negative and positive ions which can displace other chemical species in solution, thus causing changes in chemical bonds. Hydrolytic reactions may be accelerated by the addition of a catalyst, such as an enzyme, or by controlling other reaction factors such as temperature and pH. These reactions are important in many biochemical processes, particularly in enzyme catalyzed reactions such as those used in digestion. Hydrolysis reactions are also commonly used in the synthesis of industrial chemicals such as glycerine and alcohol.
In inorganic chemistry, hydrolysis is typified by the dissolution of salts made from weak acids and strong bases, such as sodium acetate. For example, when sodium acetate dissolves in water, it is separated into its component ions, (Na+ and CHCHOH,-. In organic chemistry, hydrolytic reactions can split apart much larger molecule such as proteins. Protein hydrolysis is measured by evaluating differences in solubility, optical rotation of light, and with spectrophotometric methods which measure how much light is measured at a given wavelength. While these methods can determine the rate of the hydrolysis, they do not necessarily identify what new compounds are formed in the reaction. Other analytical methods are used to characterize hydrolytic byproducts.
Strong acids or bases are typically used to aid in these reactions. In many biochemical processes, proteins, fats, oils, and carbohydrates are broken down, which are hydrolytic reactions catalyzed by enzymes. These enzymes, respectively referred to as proteases, lipases, and amylases, are important in the process of digestion.
Hydrolysis is also useful industrially; for example, hydrolytic reactions are used to split fats into fatty acids and glycerol. This particular reaction, which is conducted under alkaline conditions, is also known as saponification and is part of the soap making process. Similarly, starches can be broken down into sugars by using strong acids or bases. Enzymes that are used to assist in this reaction are generally classified as amylases. There are a wide variety of specific amylases available including alpha ammylase, glucoamylase, and glucose isomerase. These amylases are used to break down starch into components that can be used in adhesives, sweeteners, and chemical feedstocks for other reaction processes. Another use of the hydrolysis reaction is to synthesize alcohols from olefins, for example, ethanol, CH3COOH, from ethene, CH2CH2. This reaction requires a strong acid to drive it at an appropriate rate.
Chemical researchers continue to explore the mechanisms of hydrolysis. One area of research is focused on building polymers which are easily hydrolyzed to make them more biodegradable. In the textile industry, the chemicals used to finish fabrics are evaluated to find ways to make them more resistant to hydrolysis. Also, hydrolysates made from collagen, corn, soy, wheat, and silk proteins are used in a variety of commercial products like cosmetics.
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