Hydroxyl Group

A hydroxyl group is composed of one atom of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. One way to
write the chemical formula for a hydroxyl group is -OH.

The hydroxyl group is usually found attached to organic compounds converting them into
important substances. An organic compound is defined as a compound that contains carbon
atoms covalently bonded to hydrogen atoms. Carbon forms the backbone of all organic
molecules.

An alcohol is any class of organic compounds that contains one or more hydroxyl groups
bonded to the carbon atom of an alkyl group. The hydroxyl -OH is circled in blue. An alkane is a
straight chain of carbon atoms single-bonded to hydrogen atoms. When hydrogen is removed
from an alkane chain, an alkyl group is formed. The image below shows the structural formula
of the alcohol ethanol. The alkyl group is circled in red.

Ethanol

Ethanol is also referred to as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol and is found in alcoholic drinks. The
chemical formula for ethanol is CH2H6OCH2H6O.

Other alcohols include:

 Methanol CH3OHCH3OH is toxic alcohol used in industry. Methanol can be found in

solvents or pesticides and is also used as an alternative fuel source.

Methanol
  Isopropyl alcohol (CH3)2CHOH(CH3)2CHOH is alcohol with antibacterial properties.
It is present in rubbing alcohol, skin lotions, and cleaning products.

Isopropanol

 Cholesterol is unsaturated alcohol. It means the carbon atoms have formed double
bonds to other carbon atoms. As a result, the carbon atoms are not bonded to
hydrogen atoms. Cholesterol is essential for animal cells to function properly. It is also
responsible for stabilizing cell membranes.

Cholesterol
Hydroxyl Structure and Formula
In a hydroxyl group, the oxygen atom and hydrogen atom are bonded by a covalent bond. In a
covalent bond, electrons are shared between atoms.

Alcohols are generally represented by the formula R-OH. The R represents an alkyl group with
whom -OH is covalently bonded to.

General Structure of an Alcohol

Hydroxyl Functional Group

Hydroxyl is considered a functional group. Functional groups are found in organic molecules. A
functional group is a specific grouping of atoms that have individual characteristics regardless
of the atom or molecule they are bonded by. Functional groups are made of atoms such as
oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Below are some examples of molecules
containing one or more hydroxyl functional groups.

Glucose
Glucose is the main source of energy for cells.

Glucose Molecule
Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Both serine and threonine are amino acids
containing the hydroxyl group.

Serine

Threonine

There are several other functional groups in addition to -OH that give organic molecules their
specific properties.
Amine
The amine functional group has the structure R- NH3. Below is an image of methylamine.
Notice the -NH3 functional group, which is to the right of the molecule. Methylamine is used as
a building block in the synthesis of other organic compounds. It is also important for making
pharmaceuticals, insecticides, paint removers, surfactants, and rubber chemicals. Methylamine
has also been used in the illegal manufacturing of methamphetamines.

Methylamine

Aldehyde
Aldehydes are a functional group used to make dyes and organic acids. They are also found in
perfumes, colognes, detergents, and soaps. The aldehyde functional group contains an alkyl
group covalently bonded to -CHO. In aldehydes, the oxygen is bonded to a carbon atom by a
double bond.

Aldehyde Functional Group

Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde and is known for its preservative and anti-bacterial
properties.
Formaldehyde

Ketone
A ketone is a functional group with the structure R2C=OR2C=O. Here, two carbon containing
groups (R1andR2)(R1andR2) are covalently bonded to a carbonyl carbon atom (C=O).

Ketone Functional Group

Acetone is a common ketone. This colorless solvent is used to dissolve and break down other
materials. Acetone can be found in paint removers and nail polish removers.

Acetone
Hydroxyl Group Properties
The hydroxyl group has properties that are specific to its structure.

Polarity
The hydroxyl group is polar. A polar molecule has a partial negative charge on one end of the
molecule and a partial positive charge on either end of the molecule. The oxygen atom in
hydroxyl is more electronegative.

It means that it has a great tendency to attract electrons. The oxygen and hydrogen atoms
share electrons due to the covalent bond. Since oxygen attracts the shared electrons more than
hydrogen, the oxygen atom will have a partial negative charge, and the hydrogen atom will
have a partial positive charge.

Hydrogen Bonding
The polarity of the hydroxyl group enables it to undergo hydrogen bonding. During hydrogen
bonding, hydrogen from one molecule will form a covalent bond with a very electronegative
element such as nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine. As a result of hydrogen bonding, most alcohols
are liquids at room temperature and have high boiling points.

Hydrophilic
The hydroxyl group is hydrophilic. A hydrophilic molecule is attracted to water.

Amphoteric
The hydroxyl group is amphoteric. An amphoteric molecule can act as both a weak base and a
weak acid. It is due to its ability to both donate and accept protons.

Lesson Summary
A hydroxyl group is composed of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen. One way to write
the chemical formula for a hydroxyl group is -OH. Hydroxyl groups usually attach themselves to
organic compounds converting them into important substances. An organic compound is
defined as a compound that contains carbon atoms covalently bonded to hydrogen atoms. An
alcohol is any class of organic compounds that contains one or more hydroxyl groups that are
bonded to the carbon atom of an alkyl group. In a hydroxyl group, the oxygen atom and
hydrogen atom are covalently bonded together. In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons
between themselves. Alcohols are generally represented by the formula R-OH. The R
represents an alkyl group with which -OH is covalently bonded to. Hydroxyl is considered a
functional group. Functional groups are found in organic molecules. A functional group is a
specific grouping of atoms that have individual characteristics regardless of the atom or
molecule they are bonded with.