What is "hydroxymethyl"

hydroxymethyl \hydroxymethyl\ n. a methyl radical with a hydroxyl group replacing one of the hydrogen atoms.

n. (context organic chemistry especially in combination English) The univalent radical HO-CH₂-

n. a methyl with hydroxide replacing the hydrogen atoms

Hydroxymethyl in the field of chemistry, particularly in organic chemistry, is the name for a substituent with the structural formula -CH-OH. The hydroxymethyl group consists of a methylene bridge (-CH- unit) bonded to a hydroxy (-OH) group. This makes the hydroxymethyl group an alcohol. The hydroxymethyl group has the identical chemical formula with the methoxy group (-O-CH) that differs only in the attachment site and orientation to the rest of the molecule. However, their chemical properties are different.