Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction of a compound with water. For instance, salts of weak acids or bases
hydrolyse in aqueous solution, as in

Na+−CH3COO−+H2O⇌Na++OH−+CH3COOH

Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which molecules of water (H2O) are split
into hydrogen cations (H+, conventionally referred to asprotons) and hydroxide anions (OH−) in
the process of a chemical mechanism.[1][2] It is the type of reaction that is used to break down
certain polymers, especially those made by step-growth polymerization. Such polymer
degradation is usually catalysed by either acid, e.g., concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4), or alkali,
e.g., sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Hydrolysis of Acidic Salts

A salt formed between a strong acid and a weak base is an acid salt. Ammonia
is a weak base, and its salt with any strong acid gives a solution with a pH
lower than 7. For example, let us consider the reaction:
HCl + NH4OH = NH4+ + Cl- + H2O
In the solution, the NH4+ ion reacts with water (called hydrolysis) according to
the equation:
NH4+ + H2O = NH3 + H3O+.