hydroxyl
n.a group of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom that is part of a larger chemical molecule. It is often written as -OH and is found in many common substances like water and alcohol.
n.a functional group consisting of an oxygen atom and a hydrogen atom, typically represented as -OH. It is a fundamental component of alcohols, carboxylic acids, and many organic compounds.
“The hydroxyl group makes the molecule more water-soluble.”
“In the presence of a catalyst, the hydroxyl group can react with other molecules to form new chemical bonds.”
“The presence of a hydroxyl group significantly increases the polarity of an organic molecule, allowing it to form hydrogen bonds with water and other polar solvents.”
From a blend of hydrogen + oxygen + -yl.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.