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Diol
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<p>A diol is a <a href="/facts/Chemical_compound/37FXqqtv">chemical compound</a> containing two <a href="/facts/Hydroxyl_group/1Hs2QAEv">hydroxyl groups</a> (−OH groups). An <a href="/facts/Aliphatic_compound/9usN3neo">aliphatic</a> diol may also be called a glycol. This pairing of <a href="/facts/Functional_group/GXkSPsjM">functional groups</a> is pervasive, and many subcategories have been identified. They are used as <a href="/facts/Protecting_group/f92hVwHl">protecting groups</a> of <a href="/facts/Carbonyl_group/KJ71bo3X">carbonyl groups</a>, making them essential in synthesis of organic chemistry. </p><p>The most common industrial diol is <a href="/facts/Ethylene_glycol/stFz6CVe">ethylene glycol</a>. Examples of diols in which the hydroxyl functional groups are more widely separated include 1,4-butanediol HO−(CH2)4−OH and <a href="/facts/1%2c3-Propanediol/dgt4F6xQ">propylene-1,3-diol</a>, or beta propylene glycol, HO−CH2−CH2−CH2−OH. </p>