hydroxyl group (-OH)The functional group –OH found in alcohols and phenols. It consists of a hydrogen atom and a oxygen atom bound together by a covalent bond. In alcohols, the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom in a hydrocarbon chain while in phenols the hydroxyl group is attached directly to the hydrocarbon ring. Related category ORGANIC CHEMISTRYAlso on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History |