hydroxylation

chemical process

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June 29, 2026

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Hydroxylation is a chemical process where a hydroxyl group (\u2015OH) is introduced into a molecule. A hydroxyl group consists of one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom, derived from a water molecule. This process is often catalyzed by enzymes called hydroxylases, which incorporate one oxygen atom into the substrate and use the other to oxidize NADH or NADPH.123

Hydroxyl groups are significant in organic chemistry, forming the basis of alcohols when attached to a carbon atom. They also enhance a molecule's solubility in water due to their polar nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds, making them "water-loving". Conversely, when a hydroxyl group is attached to an aromatic ring, it forms a phenol. Hydroxylation reactions are fundamental in synthesizing various organic compounds, including aldehydes, and play roles in biological processes.24

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industrial glass
From the gaseous state
…making of silica glass by hydroxylation. In the hydroxylation technique, vapours of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄) are reacted at high temperatures with steam (H₂O), causing a “soot” of silica (SiO₂) to deposit on cooler substrates. The soot is subsequently sintered to a dense glass. (A practical application of this technique involving…
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…making of silica glass by hydroxylation. In the hydroxylation technique, vapours of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl₄) are reacted at high temperatures with steam (H₂O), causing a “soot” of silica (SiO₂) to deposit on cooler substrates. The soot is subsequently sintered to a dense glass. (A practical application of this technique involving…
Read More