Alkanediol

Alkanediol refers to a class of organic compounds composed of an alkane and two hydroxy groups (OH). "Alkane" is a type of hydrocarbon containing no cyclic carbon structures and only carbon-carbon single bonds, meaning only linear or branched carbon chains; alkanes are also completely saturated, meaning that all carbon bonding positions which are not carbon-carbon bonds are occupied by hydrogen. Chemical compounds containing two and only two hydroxy groups are referred to diols as a class.