base catalysis

[oohpsjin]

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How does base catalyze certain reactions such as hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Many reactions occur with the help of aq. acid or aq. base - I understand how acids may protonate atoms to make their bonds unstable, but how does aqueous base (OH/H2O) catalyze reactions?

 

[not respect]

Because the hydroxide ions in there are sweet nucleophiles, much better than water.

 

[amm]

How does base catalyze certain reactions such as hydrolysis of peptide bonds. Many reactions occur with the help of aq. acid or aq. base - I understand how acids may protonate atoms to make their bonds unstable, but how does aqueous base (OH/H2O) catalyze reactions?

What kind of reactions are you talking about? How a base catalyze depends on the reactants.