hydrolysable
Hydrolysable is an adjective describing substances that are susceptible to hydrolysis, a chemical reaction in which water cleaves chemical bonds, leading to smaller molecules. Hydrolysis can be acid-, base-, or enzyme-catalyzed, and it is a major pathway for the breakdown of many organic compounds in biology and chemistry.
In organic chemistry, common hydrolysable bonds include esters (ester plus water yields carboxylic acid and alcohol),
Applications and contexts: In polymers, hydrolysable classes include many biodegradable polymers such as polyesters (for example
Environmental and health considerations: Hydrolysis affects the fate of chemicals in soil and water, influencing persistence,
Etymology: from Greek hydro- meaning water, and lysis meaning loosening or splitting.