Catalysis by acids or bases in solution is said to be general when it is possible to detect catalysis brought about by species other than the ions formed from the solvent itself (e.g. when water is the solvent, by species other than
H+ and
OH− ions).
See: general acid catalysis, general base catalysis
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 149. 'A glossary of terms used in chemical kinetics, including reaction dynamics (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)' on page 150 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199668010149)