Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Acid catalysis by interfacial water: A new mechanism is proposed for on-water catalysis, the acceleration of organic reactions when conducted in aqueous emulsions. It involves the protonation of a substrate by water, driven by the strong adsorption of hydroxide ions at aqueous interfaces with oils. This accounts for the specific role of water, and a deuterium isotope effect, at the interface, on reactions known to be acid-catalysed.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Beattie et al. (2010) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: