Encyclopedia

hydroxyl group

hydroxyl group (hīdrok'sil) [key], in chemistry, functional group that consists of an oxygen atom joined by a single bond to a hydrogen atom. An alcohol is formed when a hydroxyl group is joined by a single bond to an alkyl group or aryl group. A metal hydroxide is formed when a hydroxyl group is joined to a metal (e.g., sodium hydroxide).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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