Glycol

Definition

Glycol, in the context of organic chemistry, specifically refers to a diol, which is a chemical compound containing two hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to different carbon atoms. These compounds are often formed through the oxidation of alkenes, resulting in the addition of hydroxyl groups across the double bond.

Related terms

Alkene:

A hydrocarbon that contains at least one carbon-carbon double bond, acting as a precursor in the synthesis of glycols through oxidative reactions.

Epoxidation:

A reaction where an alkene is converted into an epoxide (a three-membered cyclic ether) using specific reagents, often as an intermediate step towards forming glycols.

Hydroxylation:

The process of adding one or more hydroxyl groups to a molecule, such as converting alkenes into glycols by introducing OH groups across the double bond