What is the functional group present in alcohols?

The functional group present in alcohols is -OH, known as the hydroxyl group. This group is characteristic of alcohols and is responsible for their unique properties. When an -OH group is attached to a carbon atom, it makes the molecule an alcohol, differentiating it from other types of organic compounds.

In alcohols, the presence of the hydroxyl group allows for hydrogen bonding, which contributes to their higher boiling points compared to hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight. Furthermore, -OH groups can engage in various chemical reactions, making alcohols versatile compounds in many chemical processes.

Other choices represent different functional groups unrelated to alcohols. The presence of a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) defines alkenes, while CO2 is indicative of carbon dioxide, which is not a functional group found in organic molecules, and -COOH denotes carboxylic acids, another class of organic compounds.