Hydroxy

Hydroxy is a term used in organic chemistry to describe a molecule that contains a hydroxyl functional group. The prefix "hydroxy-" is used in IUPAC nomenclature to indicate the presence of a hydroxyl group.

Chemical Structure

The hydroxyl group consists of an oxygen atom bonded covalently to a hydrogen atom. In a hydroxy compound, the hydroxyl group is bonded to a carbon atom. This can be represented as -OH in chemical structures.

Properties

Hydroxy compounds are typically polar due to the presence of the hydroxyl group, which is a polar functional group. This can lead to increased solubility in water and other polar solvents. The presence of a hydroxyl group can also affect the reactivity of the molecule.

Examples

Examples of hydroxy compounds include alcohols, such as ethanol and methanol, and carboxylic acids, such as acetic acid. In these compounds, the hydroxyl group is directly bonded to a carbon atom.

See Also

• Alcohol (chemistry)
• Carboxylic acid
• Functional group
• Organic chemistry
• IUPAC nomenclature