When exposed to water, the metal oxide that was previously an inner sphere complex will become saturated with water, which is known as a dissolution reaction. This can also be observed in cases where hydroxyl groups are also present.
pH is a consideration within these reactions, but the symmetrical, molecular adsorption of water is considered unstable and possesses a high activation energy.
As a result, the rate determining step relies on the breakage of a critical oxo bond that may increase inductive effects through changes in electron density. This causes nucleophilic attacks and further dissolution to occur.