Chemical compound that contains the hydroxyl (-OH)
radical. The term refers especially to inorganic compounds.
Organic compounds that have the hydroxyl radical as
a functional group are referred to as Alcohols. Most
metal hydroxide are bases.
Alkali metals hydroxides,
such as sodium hydroxide (NaOH), are strong bases
and are very soluble in water. The Alkaline-Earth
metal hydroxides are less basic, and magnesium hydroxide
(Milk of Magnesia) is only slightly basic.
Some hydroxides,
such as aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3] exhibit Amphoterism.
