Which molecule contains a hydroxyl group?

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Multiple Choice

Which molecule contains a hydroxyl group?

Explanation:
A hydroxyl group is an -OH bonded to a carbon atom, which is the defining feature of alcohols. In ethanol, you can clearly see this group as the -OH attached to the carbon chain (CH3-CH2-OH), showing the alcohol functional group. Ethanoic acid does have an -OH, but it’s part of the carboxyl group (-COOH), so the main functional group there is carboxyl rather than a simple hydroxyl. The other two molecules, ethene and propane, are hydrocarbons with no -OH group at all. So ethanol is the molecule that contains a distinct hydroxyl group.

A hydroxyl group is an -OH bonded to a carbon atom, which is the defining feature of alcohols. In ethanol, you can clearly see this group as the -OH attached to the carbon chain (CH3-CH2-OH), showing the alcohol functional group. Ethanoic acid does have an -OH, but it’s part of the carboxyl group (-COOH), so the main functional group there is carboxyl rather than a simple hydroxyl. The other two molecules, ethene and propane, are hydrocarbons with no -OH group at all. So ethanol is the molecule that contains a distinct hydroxyl group.

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