A hydroxyl (alcohol group) is an -OH group covalently bonded another atom. In biological molecules the hydroxyl group is often (but not always) found bound to a carbon atom, as depicted below. ... Therefore, the O-H and O-C bonds in the hydroxyl group will be polar covalent bonds.

Are hydroxyl groups hydrophilic?

Hydroxyl groups (-OH), found in alcohols, are polar and therefore hydrophilic (water liking) but their carbon chain portion is non-polar which make them hydrophobic.

Are hydroxyl groups soluble?

Hydroxyl groups are also able to form hydrogen bonds with water, a property that increases the hydrophilicity and solubility of molecules containing them. The carbohydrates are an example of a group of molecules that are extremely soluble due to hydroxyl functional groups.