Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which one or more water molecules are split into hydrogen and hydroxide ions, which may go on to participate in further reactions. 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) attack, often increasing with their strength or pH.

In organic chemistry, a hydration reaction is a chemical reaction in which a hydroxyl group (OH^-) and a hydrogen cation (an acidic proton) are added to the two carbon atoms bonded together in the carbon-carbon double bond which makes up an alkene functional group. The reaction usually runs in a strong acidic, aqueous solution. Hydration differs from hydrolysis in that hydrolysis cleaves the non-water component in two. Hydration leaves the non-water component intact.

Solvation, also sometimes called dissolution, is the process of attraction and association of molecules of a solvent with molecules or ions of a solute. As ions dissolve in a solvent they spread out and become surrounded by solvent molecules.