[‚as·ə′täl·ə·səs] (organic chemistry) Decomposition of an organic molecule through the action of acetic acid or acetic anhydride.
acetolysis
ac·e·tol·y·sis
(as-e-tol'i-sis), Decomposition of an organic compound with the addition of the elements of acetic acid at the point of decomposition; analogous to hydrolysis and phosphorolysis.