Question

Hydrogen bonding occurs between molecules in which hydrogen atoms are bound to small, highly electronegative atoms. Which of the following groups of atoms are most likely to result in hydrogen bonding when paired with hydrogen?

a) Carbon
b) Nitrogen
c) Fluorine
d) Phosphorus

Answer 1

Hydrogen bonding occurs between molecules where hydrogen is covalently bonded to fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen, which are highly electronegative elements. The positively charged hydrogen nucleus is attracted to nearby lone pairs of electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hydrogen bonding occurs only in molecules where hydrogen is covalently bonded to one of three elements: fluorine, , or . These three elements are so electronegative that they withdraw the majority of the electron density from the covalent bond with hydrogen, leaving the H atom very electron-deficient.

Because the hydrogen atom does not have any electrons other than the ones in the covalent bond, its positively charged nucleus is almost completely exposed, allowing strong attractions to other nearby lone pairs of electrons.