polyhydroxy

1 9.9

Containing more than one OH group in a molecule

adjective
/ˌpɒliˈhaɪdrəʊksi/

Specialized

: polihidroxilo

Glucose is a polyhydroxy compound due to its several hydroxyl groups.

Examples

Many sugars are classified as polyhydroxy because they contain multiple –OH groups.
The polyhydroxy structure of the molecule increases its solubility in water.
Glycerol is a polyhydroxy compound.
Many polyhydroxy substances are used in cosmetics.
Polyhydroxy compounds like polyhydroxy sorbitol can improve moisture retention in skin care products.
The lab synthesized a new polyhydroxy molecule that showed promise in drug formulations.
Researchers are studying polyhydroxy substances for their potential benefits in reducing skin irritation.

How Many Hydroxyls

polyhydroxy

Specialized

1 9.9

trihydroxy

Specialized

8.7

Surface Forms

polyhydroxy positive

Morphology

polyhydroxy = hydroxy (semi-transparent) = poly + hydroxy

The word is formed regularly with poly- plus the specialized chemical base hydroxy, but the meaning depends on technical chemistry vocabulary rather than everyday English.

Etymology

Polyhydroxy combines poly- 'many' with hydro- 'water' and -oxy 'oxygen', so it literally names a molecule that has 'many water-like (–OH) groups'.