glycol , dihydric alcohol in which the two hydroxyl groups are bonded to different carbon atoms; the general formula for a glycol is (CH₂)_n(OH)₂. The most important glycol is the simplest, ethylene glycol, or 1,2-ethanediol, CH₂OHCH₂OH, a slightly sweet-tasting, somewhat viscous liquid that is miscible with water. Because of its low volatility (b.p. 197°C) and low corrosive activity, it is widely used in mixtures of automobile antifreeze. Ethylene glycol can be esterified to form polyesters, e.g., Dacron, and can be nitrated to form an explosive used in mining. Cellosolves (e.g., methyl cellosolve, CH₃OCH₂CH₂OH) are monoether derivatives of ethylene glycol. They are excellent solvents, having solvent properties of both ethers and alcohols; they have other uses as well. Ethylene glycol is prepared commercially by oxidation of ethylene at high temperature over a silver oxide catalyst, followed by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the ethylene oxide that is formed.