The general equation for the hydrolysis of a halogenalkane is:

RBr + H2O `->` ROH + H+ + Br-

In this equation, “Br- “ represents a halogen.

Halogenalkanes are also known as haloalkanes or alkyl halides. A haolgenalkane is a compound in which at least one hydrogen has been replaced by a halogen. Halogens are elements that are located in group 7A of the periodic table. Specifically, halogens include fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), and astatine (At).

Hydrolysis reactions involves the breaking of a bond by the addition of a water molecule. In this way, hydrolysis reactions often break down large polymers into smaller monomers. For example, it is a hydrolysis reaction that breaks a polysaccharide into monosaccharides.

A dehydration synthesis reaction is the opposite of a hydrolysis reaction. The term dehydration synthesis means “to put together while losing a water molecule”. During a dehydration synthesis reaction, smaller monomers combine to form a larger polymer. In the process, water molecules are created.