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Any of a class of common organic compounds that contain one or more hydroxyl groups (―OH) attached to one or more of the carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain.
The number of other substituent groups (R) on that carbon atom make the alcohol a primary (RCH 2 OH), secondary (R 2 CHOH), or tertiary (R 3 COH) alcohol. Many alcohols occur naturally and are valuable intermediates in the synthesis of other compounds because of the characteristic oxidation-reduction ) of primary alcohols yields aldehydes and (if taken further) carboxylic acids ; oxidation of secondary alcohols, ketones . Tertiary alcohols break down on oxidation. Alcohols generally react with carboxylic acids to produce esters . They may also be converted to ethers and olefins . Products of these numerous reactions include fats and waxes, detergents, plasticizers, emulsifiers, lubricants, emollients, and foaming agents. Ethanol (grain alcohol) and methanol (wood alcohol) are the best-known alcohols with one hydroxyl group. Glycols (e.g., ethylene glycol, or antifreeze) contain two hydroxyl groups, glycerol three, and polyols three or more. See also alcoholic beverage , alcoholism .
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[c mediumvioletred] (as used in expressions)
{{link=grain alcohol">grain alcohol
ethyl alcohol
wood alcohol
methyl alcohol
Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms Bureau of
fetal alcohol syndrome