Identifying the Hydrolysis Reaction Among the Given Options- A Comprehensive Guide

Which of the following reactions is a hydrolysis reaction? This question often arises in the field of chemistry, particularly when discussing the types of chemical reactions that involve the breaking down of larger molecules into smaller ones. Hydrolysis reactions are a fundamental class of reactions that play a crucial role in various biological and industrial processes. In this article, we will explore different reactions and identify which one qualifies as a hydrolysis reaction.

Hydrolysis reactions involve the addition of water to a compound, leading to the breaking of chemical bonds. This process is essential for the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, such as the digestion of food and the metabolism of organic compounds in living organisms. The general form of a hydrolysis reaction can be represented as:

AB + H2O → AH + BOH

where AB is the compound being hydrolyzed, AH is the product of the hydrolysis, and BOH is the byproduct, typically a hydroxide ion.

Now, let’s examine some reactions to determine which one is a hydrolysis reaction:

1. CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
This reaction is a combustion reaction, where methane (CH4) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). It is not a hydrolysis reaction because the reaction does not involve the breaking of a chemical bond using water.

2. CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O
This reaction is a neutralization reaction, where calcium carbonate (CaCO3) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to produce calcium chloride (CaCl2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O). Although water is produced as a byproduct, this reaction is not a hydrolysis reaction because it involves the reaction between an acid and a base, rather than the breaking of a chemical bond using water.

3. C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
This reaction is a cellular respiration reaction, where glucose (C6H12O6) reacts with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Similar to the combustion reaction, this reaction is not a hydrolysis reaction because it involves the oxidation of glucose, rather than the breaking of a chemical bond using water.

4. H2SO4 + 2H2O → H3O+ + HSO4-
This reaction is a hydrolysis reaction, where sulfuric acid (H2SO4) reacts with water (H2O) to produce hydronium ions (H3O+) and hydrogen sulfate ions (HSO4-). In this reaction, the sulfur-oxygen bond in the sulfuric acid molecule is broken, and water molecules are added to the reactants. Therefore, this reaction is a hydrolysis reaction.

In conclusion, among the given reactions, the hydrolysis reaction is:

H2SO4 + 2H2O → H3O+ + HSO4-

This reaction demonstrates the breaking of a chemical bond using water, which is a characteristic feature of hydrolysis reactions.