What is a Hydroxyl Group?
Hydroxyl group is the name of the chemical group, which is simply a single oxygen atom combined with a hydrogen atom. It is essential in organic molecules and lends them some of the properties they possess. The hydroxyl group having an impact on the solubility, acidity and reactivity of organic materials is quite common.
Structure of Hydroxyl Group
The structure of an OH group involves a single oxygen atom connected to a hydrogen atom. This bond can be identified by a covalent bond that is composed of the sharing between oxygen and hydrogen atoms. The oxygen atom usually has a partial negative charge since its electronegativity is higher than that of hydrogen, and hydrogen is positively charged. This arrangement of structures gives hydroxyl groups their unique structure and reactivity, which is a distinguishing feature of hydroxyl groups.
Characteristics of the Hydroxyl
The group of hydroxyls on organic chemistry have different features.
- They are capable of hydrogen bonding, and this is the “key” to the physical properties of compounds.
- Further, hydroxyl groups can undergo a variety of chemical reactions, such as oxidation and esterification, as a result of the presence oxygen atom.
Hydroxyl Group
Hydroxyl is an chemical group that plays a big role in organic chemistry. It is an -OH functional group with an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom, and it is usually represented as OH. These are the groups that are responsible for the framework and activity of the variety of organic compounds, and this in turn impacts their properties and reactivity. In this article, we will learn about hydroxyl group, its properties, compound containing hydroxyl group, their nomenclature rule etc.
Table of Content
- What is a Hydroxyl Group?
- Examples of Organic Compounds with Hydroxyl Groups
- Chemical Properties of Hydroxyl Group
- Nomenclature for Compounds with Hydroxyl Groups
- Hydroxyls in Alcohols, Phenols, and Carbohydrates