The claim that haloalkanes hydrolyze at varying rates depending on their molecular structure is a fundamental chemical principle governed by the stability of leaving groups, steric hindrance, and carbocation stability. Consequently, no dedicated citation is strictly needed, though foundational kinetic and mechanistic studies support these principles.
The claim describes a well-established foundational concept in organic chemistry regarding the reactivity of alkyl halides (haloalkanes) in nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions (such as hydrolysis). This qualifies as common knowledge, so no citation is strictly needed, although relevant papers regarding alkyl halide kinetics and mechanisms support the chemical principles involved.