Final answer:
Hydroxyl groups are derivatized by esterification to form sugar alcohols.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydroxyl groups are often derivatized by esterification to form sugar alcohols. Esters are formed when a hydroxyl group reacts with a carboxylic acid, resulting in the loss of water.
For example, when a hydroxyl group in glycerol reacts with three fatty acids through esterification, a large triester molecule called a triglyceride is formed. Triglycerides are a type of lipid that can be found in food.
In this context, the correct answer to the question is D) Sugar alcohols.