The hydrolysis of esters, amides, and nitriles ________.

A) can be carried out under acidic or basic conditions
B) must be acid-catalyzed
C) must be base-catalyzed
D) should be carried out at pH 7.0 for optimum efficiency
E) is not pH dependent

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that involves the breaking of a bond in a molecule using water, commonly seen in the breakdown of biomolecules.

Nitriles

Organic compounds containing a cyano group (-C≡N) bonded to an alkyl group, known for their use in organic synthesis and as solvents.

Amides

Organic compounds characterized by a carbonyl group (C=O) attached to a nitrogen atom.