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Alcohols are organic compounds in which a hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to a saturated carbon atom. Alcohols have the general formula ROH, where R may be aliphatic or alicyclic and may include aromatic rings. Alcohols are further classified as primary, secondary or tertiary, according to the position of the hydroxyl group on the aliphatic carbon chain. If the hydroxyl group is attached directly to an aromatic ring, the compound is classified as a Phenol.
Alcohols may also be classified by the number of hydroxyl groups present in the molecule; for example, a compound with two hydroxyl groups is called a diol, and one with three hydroxyl groups is called a triol. Strictly speaking, glycols are alcohols in which hydroxyl groups are found on adjacent carbon atoms. In common usage some dihydroxy compounds not conforming to this definition are identified as glycols, e.g., diethylene glycol and hexylene glycol.
Alcohols are widely used in cosmetics. The low molecular weight alcohols, e.g., isopropyl, butyl, and especially ethyl alcohol, are employed as solvents as well as for their astringent action in aftershaves, colognes, mouthwashes, and similar products. For cosmetic applications of other types of alcohols, see: Alkanolamides, Alkanolamines, Fatty Alcohols, Polyols, Phenols, and Sterols. |