Examples of Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen is the first element of the periodic table. It is an odourless, tasteless and colourless gas under normal conditions. It is made up of diatomic molecules H2 and is represented by the symbol H. With the atomic number one, hydrogen is made up of one electron and one proton. Hydrogen bonding is described as the electrostatic dipole-to-dipole contact occurring between molecules which share several characteristics of covalent bonding. Since the hydrogen bonding is relatively stronger, it leads to a smaller number of interaction partners. For example, in the case of water molecules, chemically represented as (H2O), hydrogen is bonded covalently to the electronegative oxygen atom. 

Today,  we are going to discuss the concept of hydrogen bonding, examples of hydrogen bonding, and other related topics in detail. So, without any further ado, let’s get started! 

Hydrogen Bonding

Hydrogen bonding is the formulation of the hydrogen bond that is the type of intermolecular force caused by the dipole-dipole interaction among hydrogen atoms and highly electronegative atoms. Compared to the covalent or ionic bond, the hydrogen bond is generally weaker. However, it is stronger than the Van Der Waals forces. Experts classified hydrogen bonds as a type of weak chemical bond. 

Examples of Hydrogen Bonding 

Here are a few examples of hydrogen bonding meaning – 

• Water – The highly electronegative oxygen atom gets connected with the hydrogen atom in a water molecule. The electron’s shared pairs are closely attracted to the atoms of oxygen which is why the molecule’s end becomes negative, whereas the hydrogen atoms appear to be positive. 

• Hydrogen fluoride – In the hydrogen bonding, fluorine forms the strongest hydrogen bond featuring the highest electronegativity. 

• Hydrogen bonding in carboxylic acid and alcohols – Alcohol is referred to as an organic molecule with an -OH group. Generally, in case any molecule that has a hydrogen atom is either linked to nitrogen or oxygen directly. Later, hydrogen bonding becomes easier.

• Hydrogen bonding in the ammonia – It has electronegative atom nitrogen connected to hydrogen atoms. 

• Hydrogen bonding in the polymer – In order to determine 3D structures and properties which are acquired by natural and synthetic proteins, hydrogen bonding is a crucial factor. It also plays a significant role in defining the cellulose structure along with derived polymers, including flax or cotton. 

Types of Hydrogen Bonding with Examples 

There are mainly two significant types of hydrogen (H) bonds along with their examples. These include – 

• Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding

In case hydrogen bonding occurs between different molecules that have either the same or different compounds, these are referred to as intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Common examples of intermolecular hydrogen bonding include hydrogen bonding in alcohol, water, ammonia, and so on.

Example:

• Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding

Intramolecular hydrogen bonding can be described as hydrogen bonding which mainly occurs within the molecule only. This type of hydrogen bonding takes place in compounds that have two groups. Out of the two groups, one group has a hydrogen atom, whereas another group has a highly electronegative atom.

Example:

Conditions for the Hydrogen Bonding 

In the molecule where the hydrogen atom is closely connected to the highly electronegative atom, the shared piece of an electron is attracted. As a result, the molecule’s end becomes slightly negative, whereas the other end becomes positive. Both the ends attract one another, which leads to the formation of a weak bond between them. This bond is referred to as the hydrogen bond. Here are two major conditions of hydrogen bonding – 

• Each molecule should have a highly electronegative atom connected to the hydrogen atom. The more the electronegativity will be, the higher the molecule’s polarisation. 

• The electronegative atom size should be small. If the size is smaller, the electrostatic attraction will be more. 

Why does the hydrogen-bonded compound possess high melting points and high boiling points? 

Hydrogen-bonded compounds generally have a high boiling and melting point. These elevated temperatures of hydrogen-bonded compounds are accountable for more energy required for breaking these bonds. 

• When at room temperature, H2O is liquid. However, H2S, H2Se, and H2Te are found in the gaseous state. Since hydrogen bonding gives rise to links in water molecules, it results in higher boiling and melting point if compared to other chemicals. 

• Since there is hydrogen bonding in NH3; However, there is no hydrogen bonding in PH3; ammonia possesses a high boiling point. 

• As ethanol has hydrogen bonds, its boiling point is higher than diethyl ether.

Conclusion 

With this, we come to an end of the topic of examples of hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen bonding can be described as the process of forming hydrogen bonds that are an attractive intermolecular force’s special class that arises because of the dipole-dipole interaction between the hydrogen atom and highly electronegative atom. It mainly occurs between an electronegative and a hydrogen atom. 

Experts classified hydrogen bonds as a type of weak chemical bond. Some of the common examples of hydrogen bonding meaning are Hydrogen bonding in the hydrogen fluoride, Hydrogen bonding in the water, Hydrogen bonding in the ammonia, Hydrogen bonding in the polymer, and so on, which we discussed in detail. It is further classified into two major parts: Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding and Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding. In the latter part, we briefly mentioned the properties and conditions of hydrogen bonding. We hope this has helped to attain a better understanding of the concept of hydrogen bonding.