ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the hydrolysis. The importance of hydrolysis from an environmental fate point of view is that the reaction introduces a hydroxyl group into the parent molecule. The resulting product is usually more susceptible to further attack through the processes of biodegradation and photolysis. Furthermore, the hydroxyl group makes the chemical more water soluble and hence reduces the potential for bioconcentration. For those molecules that undergo hydrolysis, the ability to estimate the rate constant depends on how much previous work has been done in that particular family. Theoretical chemistry has not yet reached the level of sophistication where a prediction of reactivity can be made based on the structure. Consequently, reliance must be made on the various linear free energy relations that have been developed for predicting rate constants. Finally, once a constant is obtained it should be examined in light of the ecosystem where it will be used.
