It is a class of organic compounds with the general
formula R-OH where R is an alkyl group made up of carbon
and hydrogen and –OH is one or more hydroxyl groups,
each made up of one atom of oxygen and one of hydrogen.
Although the term alcohol often refers to Ethanol, the
alcohol in alcoholic beverages, the class of alcohol
also includes methanol and the amyl, butyl, and propyl
alcohols all with one hydroxyl group; the glycols, with
two hydroxyl groups; and glycerol with three.
Many of
the characteristic properties and reactions of alcohols
are due to the polarity, or unequal distribution, of
electric charges in the C-O-H portion of the molecule.
