Alcohol

Definition

In the context of organic chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is bonded to a saturated carbon atom. The general formula for a simple alcohol can be represented as CnH2n+1OH, where n is the number of carbon atoms.

Related terms

Hydroxyl Group:

A functional group consisting of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom (-OH).

Saturated Carbon Atom: A carbon atom that is bonded to four other atoms with single bonds, having no double or triple bonds.

Organic Compound: A compound that contains carbon atoms bonded together, often along with other elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus