Which functional group is found in methanol ($C_1{H}_{4}O$)?

• A. Ketone group, $-C(=O)-$
• B. Carboxylic acid group, $-C(=O)OH$
• C. Aldehyde group, $-CH=O$
• D. Alcohol (hydroxyl) group, $-OH$

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula of methanol, which is CH4O, and recognize that it consists of one carbon (C), four hydrogens (H), and one oxygen (O) atom.
2. Recall the common functional groups and their characteristic structures: ketone (−C(=O)−), carboxylic acid (−C(=O)OH), aldehyde (−CH=O), and alcohol (−OH).
3. Analyze the structure of methanol: it has a single carbon atom bonded to three hydrogens and one hydroxyl group (−OH).
4. Compare the functional groups to the structure of methanol and determine which group matches the presence of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom (−OH).
5. Conclude that the functional group present in methanol is the alcohol (hydroxyl) group, represented as −OH.