Which functional group is characteristic of alcohols?

The characteristic functional group of alcohols is the hydroxyl group, represented as -OH. This group consists of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom, and it is essential in defining the properties and reactions of alcohols. The presence of the hydroxyl group allows alcohols to engage in hydrogen bonding, which influences their boiling points and solubility in water.

Alcohols are a significant class of organic compounds that are derived from hydrocarbons by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with hydroxyl groups. This functional group is what distinguishes alcohols from other classes of organic compounds, such as amines, carboxylic acids, or ethers, which have their own defining groups.