Glycerol, also known as glycerin or glycerine, is a simple polyol (sugar alcohol). Its structural formula represents a three-carbon backbone with each carbon atom bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH). Glycerol’s chemical formula is C3H8O3.
The structural formula can be drawn as follows:
H H H
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H - C - C - C - H
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OH OH OH
In this representation, each carbon (C) is connected to hydrogen (H) atoms and hydroxyl groups (OH), illustrating the molecule’s structure. This arrangement allows glycerol to be highly soluble in water and serves as a vital component in many biological and chemical processes.