In  a  hydroxyl  group  (-OH),  a hydrogen atom is bonded to an oxygen
   atom,  which  in  turn is bonded to the carbon skeleton of the organic
   molecule.
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   The  electronegative  oxygen  atom  confers  polar  (and  hydrophilic)
   properties to this group.
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   Do not confuse this functional group with the hydroxide ion, OH^- .