The reaction A-B plus water yields A-OH and B-H is an example of which type of reaction?

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Multiple Choice

The reaction A-B plus water yields A-OH and B-H is an example of which type of reaction?

Explanation:
Hydrolysis. This type of reaction uses water to break a bond and add parts of the water across the fragments. Here, the A–B bond is cleaved and water donates an OH to one fragment and an H to the other, yielding A–OH and B–H. That pattern—bond breaking with water taking part to form two separate molecules—is the hallmark of hydrolysis. For contrast, condensation would join two molecules into a larger one with the release of water, which isn’t what’s happening here. Oxidation would involve changes in oxidation state, not simply adding water across a bond. Phosphorylation would introduce a phosphate group, which isn’t indicated in this reaction.

Hydrolysis. This type of reaction uses water to break a bond and add parts of the water across the fragments. Here, the A–B bond is cleaved and water donates an OH to one fragment and an H to the other, yielding A–OH and B–H. That pattern—bond breaking with water taking part to form two separate molecules—is the hallmark of hydrolysis.

For contrast, condensation would join two molecules into a larger one with the release of water, which isn’t what’s happening here. Oxidation would involve changes in oxidation state, not simply adding water across a bond. Phosphorylation would introduce a phosphate group, which isn’t indicated in this reaction.

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