Diol

A diol is a chemical compound containing two hydroxyl groups (-OH groups).

Related Topics:
Chemical compound - Hydroxyl group

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Vicinal diols have hydroxyl groups bonded to atoms next to each other, i. e. bonded to each other. Examples of vicinal diol compounds are ethylene glycol and propylene glycol.

Related Topics:
Bonded - Atom - Ethylene glycol - Propylene glycol

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Geminal diols have hydroxyl groups bonded to the same atom. When the atom is a carbon atom in an organic compound, the diol section of the molecule is unstable and has a tendency to dehydrate forming a carbonyl group. For example, carbonic acid (HO-CO-OH) is unstable and has a tendency to convert to carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Only when formaldehyde (H-CO-H) is dissolved in water is the chemical equilibrium in favor of the geminal diol version of the compound .

Related Topics:
Carbon - Organic compound - Molecule - Carbonyl group - Carbonic acid - Carbon dioxide - Formaldehyde - Water - Chemical equilibrium

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