The present invention relates to enhanced process for converting certain ethers, such as sec-butyl ether and isopropyl ether to their corresponding reaction products in the presence of water. This may be accomplished by adding a rate enhancing surfactant, such as an anionic or cationic surfactant to a mixture of the ether and water, preferably least about 10.sup.-5 molar surfactant. Under those conditions the reaction shows an increase in reaction rate over the rate of the process wherein surfactant is not used.