ch2oh

CH2OH is the hydroxymethyl substituent in organic chemistry, written as -CH2OH. It consists of a single carbon atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms and a hydroxyl group, with the carbon also attached to the rest of the molecule. The group is commonly referred to as hydroxymethyl and is formed when a methylene carbon bears an attached OH group, creating a primary alcohol fragment within a larger structure.

In nomenclature, the substituent is called hydroxymethyl. When present at the end of a carbon chain, it represents the terminal CH2OH group, as seen in open-chain carbohydrates such as D-glucose, where the molecule terminates in a CH2OH group. Hydroxymethyl groups influence the physical properties and reactivity of the molecules they inhabit, including hydrogen bonding and solubility.

Reactivity: as a typical primary alcohol, the CH2OH group can be oxidized to an aldehyde and further to a carboxylic acid. It can participate in esterification and substitution reactions after activation of the hydroxyl group. The presence of the CH2OH unit often enhances polarity and can serve as a handle for chemical modifications in synthesis.

Occurrence and significance: hydroxymethyl groups appear in many natural and synthetic compounds, including sugars, polyols such as glycerol (which contains three CH2OH groups), and various hydroxymethyl derivatives used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Because it is a simple yet versatile functional group, CH2OH plays a foundational role in organic chemistry and biochemistry.