Alcohol Molecule
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An Alcohol Molecule is an organic molecule that carries at least one hydroxyl () functional group bound to carbon.
- Context:
- It can range from being a Short-Chain Alcohol to being a Long-Chain Alcohol.
- It can range from being a Primary Alcohol to being a Tertiary Alcohol.
- It can range from being a Monohydric Alcohol to being a Polyhydric Alcohol.
- It can be a Chemical Solvent.
- It can be involved in biological processes, such as being a part of metabolic pathways in living organisms.
- It can be synthesized through various methods including fermentation and chemical synthesis.
- It can be an intermediate in producing other chemical compounds, such as esters and ethers.
- ...
- Example(s):
- Short-Chain Alcohols, such as:
- an Ethanol molecule commonly found in alcoholic beverages and used as a fuel additive.
- a Methanol molecule used as an industrial solvent and antifreeze, but toxic to humans.
- an Isopropanol molecule used as a disinfectant and cleaning agent.
- a Butanol molecule used as an industrial solvent and in the production of butyl acetate.
- Long-Chain Alcohols, such as:
- a Glycerol molecule, which is a component of fats and oils and used in food and pharmaceutical products.
- a Cholesterol molecule, a complex alcohol that is an essential component of cell membranes and a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones.
- a Cetyl Alcohol molecule used in cosmetics and personal care products.
- a Stearyl Alcohol molecule used as an emulsifier and thickener in personal care products.
- ...
- Short-Chain Alcohols, such as:
- Counter-Example(s):
- Hydrocarbons, which do not contain hydroxyl groups and have different chemical properties.
- Ketones, which have a carbonyl group instead of a hydroxyl group.
- See: Chemistry, Organic Compound, Functional Group
References
2024
- (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_(chemistry) Retrieved:2024-8-5.
- In chemistry, an alcohol is a type of organic compound that carries at least one hydroxyl () functional group bound to carbon. Alcohols range from the simple, like methanol and ethanol, to complex, like sugars and cholesterol. The presence of an OH group strongly modifies the properties of hydrocarbons, conferring hydrophilic (water-loving) properties. The OH group provides a site at which many reactions can occur.