Ethylene glycol, used as antifreeze, is classified as

  • A. a monohydric alcohol
  • B. a dihydric alcohol
  • C. a trihydric alcohol
  • D. a phenol

Explanation

Ethylene glycol contains two hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbons, so it is dihydric, while glycerol with three hydroxyls is trihydric and ethanol with one is monohydric. Extra hydroxyl groups mean more hydrogen bonding, which is why glycol is viscous, high boiling and completely miscible with water. Those same properties make it effective as an antifreeze and coolant.

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