Is a compound containing carbons, hydrogens, and hydroxyl groups (oh) that serves as the "backbone" for various lipids?

Answer is: glycerol.
Glycerol (1,2,3-Propanetriol, glycerine or glycerin) is a simple polyol compound with formula (OH-CH₂-CH(OH)-CH₂OH or C₃H₈O₃). The glycerine backbone is found in all lipids known as triglycerides (ester derived from glycerol and three fatty acids). Glycerol is soluble in water hygroscopic.

Compound with sulfer  is bright red 

The metal is named first