Affixes

The hydroxyl group is the radical -OH; a hydroxide is a compound of a metal with it; generally a hydroxylic compound contains the hydroxyl radical; to hydroxylate a compound is to introduce the hydroxyl group into it. The mineral hydroxyapatite, a complex form of calcium phosphate, is the main inorganic constituent of tooth enamel and bone. Several drug names indicate the presence of a hydroxyl group: hydroxocobalamin is a cobalt-containing drug administered in cases of vitamin B₁₂ deficiency; hydroxyprogesterone is a synthetic female sex hormone.