Question

How do anhydrides react with water?

Answer 1

Hydrolysis

Explanation:

Hydrolysis is the simplest answer. Water hydrolyzes anhydrides into their corresponding carboxylic acids.

Note that when this happens, you get two carboxylic acids. An example of this is water hydrolyzing acetic anhydride. Acetic acid will result from the reaction. With symmetric anhydrides (like acetic anhydride), you get twice the acid equivalent.

Source:
http://alevelchem.com/aqa_a_level_chemistry/unit3.4/s3405/03.htm

If the anhydride is part of a ring, the ring will open, producing one molecule with two carboxylic acid groups (its corresponding acid). An example of this is water hydrolyzing succinic anhydride to form succinic acid.

Source:
https://goo.gl/images/z7X6U4

Hope this helps!