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hydroxyl

hydroxyl

1 7.9
A group of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom in a molecule
  • noun
  • /haɪˈdrɒksɪl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : hidroxilo
  • In L.A. smog, the soupy mix of unburned and partially burned hydrocarbons reacts with hydroxyl radicals and oxygen to form organic peroxides.
  • hydroxyl group
  • hydroxyl radical

Examples

  • Scientists are studying the role of the hydroxyl group in organic chemistry.

  • The presence of hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere can indicate chemical reactions occurring in the air.

  • And there's a three prime hydroxyl, which is this one right here.

  • When they react, hydroxyl radicals and methane produce water and carbon dioxide.

  • In very pure alcohol, where chemical exchange effects are not present, the hydroxyl line becomes a triplet, and the CH2 line is an octet.

    Academic text (1993)
  • A noticeable structural feature is the presence of a phenolic ring with the hydroxyl flanked by two bromine atoms (Figure 1, in red).

    Academic text (2013)
  • In addition, water (through hydroxyl radicals) and other trace gases contribute somewhat to the depletion of ozone in the stratosphere.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In the activation process, the hydroxyl anions act as a reaction catalyst, while the alkali metal cations act as structure-forming elements.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Lentz also reported that oxidation of homocysteine can generate reactive oxygen species, such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion, and hydroxyl anion.

    Academic text (2003)
  • When alcohols are formed, a hydroxyl (-OH) group is bonded to a carbon atom.

Synonyms

hydroxyl group
vshydroxyl
  • Specialized
6.5

A part of a molecule with one oxygen and one hydrogen atom found in alcohols

is the same concept but named in a shorter form
alcohol radical
vshydroxyl
  • Specialized
7.2

A group of atoms written as –OH that makes a molecule an alcohol

is the same group but described for a wider set of compounds
alcohol group
vshydroxyl
  • Specialized
4.9

A part of a molecule with an oxygen and hydrogen joined to a carbon atom

is the broader -OH group found also in acids and bases

Compounds

hydroxyl group
  • Specialized
6.5

A part of a molecule with one oxygen and one hydrogen atom found in alcohols

hydroxyl ion
  • Specialized
6.7

A particle with a negative charge made of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom

hydroxyl radical
  • Specialized
8.0

A small chemical part made of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom that reacts quickly

Surface Forms

hydroxyl singular
hydroxyls plural

Morphology

hydroxyl = hydrox + yl

This is a technical chemistry term built on the bound stem 'hydrox-' plus '-yl', but an average B1 learner would not infer the OH functional group from the parts.

Etymology

Hydroxyl comes from hydro- ('water') and -oxyl (related to oxygen), so the name points to the two atoms it has: one hydrogen and one oxygen together as the 'OH' group. That's why hydroxyl is the name for the 'OH' part you find in alcohols and many other molecules.