A hydrogen bond forms when hydrogen is covalently bonded to
Correct answer: D. a small, highly electronegative atom such as fluorine, oxygen or nitrogen
- A. carbon, silicon or sulphur
- B. any halogen
- C. a metal
- D. a small, highly electronegative atom such as fluorine, oxygen or nitrogen
Explanation
The electronegative atom pulls electron density away, leaving the hydrogen nucleus unusually exposed so that it attracts a lone pair on a neighbouring molecule. Only fluorine, oxygen and nitrogen are small and electronegative enough for the effect to be strong. Carbon is not electronegative enough, which is why hydrocarbons show no hydrogen bonding and are gases or volatile liquids.
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About Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bonding is the strong attraction between hydrogen attached to nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine and an electronegative atom in the same or another molecule. It explains unusual boiling points, viscosity, surface tension, water's properties and the difference between intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
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