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), amides (carboxylic acid and amine), anhydrides, and glycosidic bonds in carbohydrates. The rate and outcome depend on the bond type, the surrounding functional groups, pH, temperature, and catalysts.

Applications and contexts: In polymers, hydrolysable classes include many biodegradable polymers such as polyesters (for example polylactic acid) and polyurethanes that can break down in water or body fluids. In natural product chemistry, tannins are categorized as hydrolysable tannins (which yield gallic or ellagic acids upon hydrolysis) and condensed tannins (which do not readily hydrolyze). In biology and medicine, hydrolysis is essential for digesting macromolecules into absorbable units and for activating or deactivating drugs through cleavage of protective groups.

Environmental and health considerations: Hydrolysis affects the fate of chemicals in soil and water, influencing persistence, bioavailability, and toxicity. In drug design, hydrolysable linkages can be used for controlled release or prodrug strategies.

Etymology: from Greek hydro- meaning water, and lysis meaning loosening or splitting.