Hydrolysis reactions are strongly affected by pH
Rate
=
k
0
[D]
+
k
H
[H
3
O
+
] [D]
+
k
OH
[OH
-
] [D]
uncatalysed
specific acid
specific base
catalysis
catalysis
k
obs
=
k
0
+
k
H
[H
3
O
+
]
+
k
OH
[OH
-
]
The uncatalysed reaction involves water, so strictly:
k
0
=
k
0
’
[
H
2
O
]