Syrehydrolyse

Syrehydrolyse, also called acid hydrolysis, is a chemical reaction in which a substrate is cleaved by water in the presence of an acid catalyst. The process is typically driven by protonation of a bond to make it a better leaving group, followed by nucleophilic attack by water. The rate and outcome depend on acid strength, temperature, solvent, and reaction time. Stronger acids and higher temperatures generally accelerate bond cleavage.

Substrates commonly affected include carbohydrates, esters, amides, and nucleic acids. In carbohydrates, acid hydrolysis breaks glycosidic bonds to yield monosaccharides; for example, sucrose hydrolyzes to glucose and fructose (inversion). Polysaccharides such as starch or cellulose release glucose units upon acid hydrolysis. In proteins, acid hydrolysis cleaves peptide bonds under harsh conditions, producing amino acids, though milder, controlled conditions are used to limit side reactions. Nucleic acids can also be hydrolyzed under strong acidic conditions, leading to cleavage of phosphodiester bonds and release of nucleotides or bases.

Applications and context. In the food industry, acid hydrolysis is used to invert sugar and to convert starch into glucose syrups. In biochemistry and analytical chemistry, it serves to break down polymers or to prepare samples for further analysis. It is often contrasted with base hydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis, which can operate under milder conditions and with greater selectivity.

Safety and handling. Reactions typically involve corrosive acids, heat generation, and potentially toxic byproducts. Proper containment, cooling, and personal protective equipment are required, and reactions are conducted in appropriate laboratory or industrial facilities.