1,2-diol

A 1,2-diol, also known as a vicinal diol or glycol, is a chemical functional group consisting of two hydroxyl groups (-OH) attached to adjacent carbon atoms within an organic molecule. This term describes a structural motif found in a vast array of organic compounds, including sugars (carbohydrates), glycerols, and various synthetic chemicals, rather than a specific protein, receptor, or therapeutic target. In a biological context, molecules containing 1,2-diol groups are frequently encountered as metabolic intermediates or structural building blocks, but they do not function as a cohesive target class for drug development. Because the term refers to a chemical category and not a specific macromolecule like an enzyme or ion channel, it is considered an incorrect entry for a therapeutic target database. Certain 1,2-diols, such as ethylene glycol, are clinically significant due to their high toxicity and the metabolic pathways that convert them into harmful acids in the body (PubChem, IUPAC).

Other names

Vicinal diolGlycol1,2-dihydroxyalkane

Not applicable as this is a chemical functional group motif rather than a biological macromolecule.