Question

In asparagine, determine the maximum number of hydrogen bonds that each o, n , or h atom can make to a water molecule. (consider any intermolecular attractions between the asparagine molecule and water to be hydrogen bonds.)

a. the uncharged oxygen atoms can make up to ... hydrogen bond(s).
b.The negatively charged oxygen atom can make up to ... hydrogen bond(s)
c.The uncharged nitrogen atom can make up to ... hydrogen bond(s)
d. The positively charged nitrogen atom can make up to ... hydrogen bondse) each hydrogen atom can make up to ... hydrogen bond(s)

Answer 1

A Hydrogen bond will stablish between the protons of the water and the free electron pairs of the electronegative atoms on asparagine, so:

a) can make up to 2 hydrogen bonds, since it has 2 free electron pairs.

b) can make up to 3 hydrogen bonds, since the negative charge makes up for 1 free electron pair aditional to the 2 oxygen already has.

c) can make up to 1 hydrogen bond, since it has 1 free electron pair.

d) since they have no free electron pairs, they cannot establish hydrogen bonds.