The process of hydrolysis is

Options

A. always exothermic
B. always endothermic
C. either exothermic or endothermic
D. neither exothermic nor endothermic

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Hydrolysis**:
- Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction that involves the interaction of a substance with water. In this process, water acts as a solvent and participates in the reaction.

2. **Stability of Products and Reactants**:
- When hydrolysis occurs, the stability of the products formed can either be greater than or less than that of the reactants. This stability is a key factor in determining whether the reaction is exothermic or endothermic.

3. **Exothermic vs. Endothermic Reactions**:
- If the stability of the products is greater than that of the reactants, the reaction releases energy, making it exothermic. This means that the overall enthalpy change (ΔH) is negative.
- Conversely, if the stability of the products is less than that of the reactants, the reaction absorbs energy, making it endothermic. In this case, the overall enthalpy change (ΔH) is positive.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Since hydrolysis can lead to either an increase or decrease in stability of the products compared to the reactants, it can be classified as either exothermic or endothermic depending on the specific reaction. Therefore, hydrolysis cannot be strictly categorized as one or the other; it can be both.

5. **Final Answer**:
- The process of hydrolysis can be either exothermic or endothermic, depending on the stability of the products relative to the reactants. Thus, the most appropriate answer is that hydrolysis can be both exothermic and endothermic.