Hydroxyl group
Hydroxyl Group
The Hydroxyl Group (pronunciation: /ˈhaɪdrɒksɪl/) is a functional group consisting of a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an oxygen atom. The chemical formula for a hydroxyl group is -OH.
Etymology
The term "hydroxyl" is derived from the Greek words 'hydro' meaning water and 'oxys' meaning sharp, referring to the acidic properties of water.
Definition
A hydroxyl group is a functional group found in many organic compounds such as alcohols and carboxylic acids. It consists of a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom connected by a covalent bond (-OH). The presence of a hydroxyl group in a molecule often imparts specific chemical properties to that molecule.
Properties
Hydroxyl groups are polar due to the electronegativity difference between hydrogen and oxygen. This polarity allows them to participate in hydrogen bonding, which often impacts the physical and chemical properties of the compound in which they are found.
Related Terms
- Alcohol: An organic compound in which a hydroxyl group is bound to a carbon atom.
- Carboxylic Acid: An organic compound that contains a carboxyl group, which consists of a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom, which in turn is doubly bonded to an oxygen atom.
- Functional Group: A group of atoms responsible for the characteristic reactions of a particular compound.
- Hydrogen Bonding: A type of chemical bond that involves a hydrogen atom that is attracted to an electronegative atom.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hydroxyl group
- Wikipedia's article - Hydroxyl group
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