Question
what is the structural formula of glycerol? to which organic function do these molecules belong?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The structural formula of glycerol (also known as glycerin or glycerine) is:
```
OH
|
H - C - OH
|
H - C - OH
|
H
```
This can also be represented in a more condensed form as \( \text{C}_3\text{H}_8\text{O}_3 \), where each carbon atom is bonded to a hydroxyl (–OH) group.
Glycerol belongs to the class of organic compounds known as **alcohols**, specifically it is a polyol, which refers to its structure containing multiple hydroxyl groups. In glycerol, there are three hydroxyl groups attached to a three-carbon skeleton, making it a triol.
```
OH
|
H - C - OH
|
H - C - OH
|
H
```
This can also be represented in a more condensed form as \( \text{C}_3\text{H}_8\text{O}_3 \), where each carbon atom is bonded to a hydroxyl (–OH) group.
Glycerol belongs to the class of organic compounds known as **alcohols**, specifically it is a polyol, which refers to its structure containing multiple hydroxyl groups. In glycerol, there are three hydroxyl groups attached to a three-carbon skeleton, making it a triol.