Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

dihydroxy

Adjective

/daɪˈhaɪdrɒksi/

Definition

A chemical term used to describe a molecule that contains two hydroxyl (-OH) groups.

Examples

Glycerol is a triol, but it can also be referred to as 1,2-dihydroxypropane.
The compound 1,2-dihydroxybenzene is also known as catechol and is used in various chemical applications.
In the metabolic pathway, certain enzymes act on dihydroxy compounds to facilitate biochemical reactions.

Meaning

The prefix ‘di-‘ indicates two, while ‘hydroxy’ refers to a hydroxyl group, making the term dihydroxy relevant in the context of organic chemistry and biochemistry.