HYDROGEN

BONDING
Muhammad Ahmad

Definition:
Hydrogen bonding is an interaction involving a hydrogen atom located
between a pair of other atoms having a high affinity for electrons
(electronegativity).
Such a bond is weaker than an ionic bond or covalent bond but
stronger than van der Waals forces.
covalent > ionic > hydrogen bonding > non-polar interactions

Hydrogen atom bears partial positive charge and

the other atom bears partial negative charge due to
the difference in electronegativity and dipoles are
formed.
Element
Electronegativity
value
H

2.1

3.0

3.5

4.1

Importance of hydrogen bonding

Increase in melting, boiling point, solubility and viscosity.
Creates secondary structure of proteins.
Dimerization of carboxylic acids.
Lower density of ice than water.

HYDROGEN
BONDING

Water
molecules
every water molecule is H-bonded
with up to four other molecules.
Hydrogen bonds help to create an
open hexagonal lattice of ice with
lower density.

DNA
DNA contains genetic information and consist of two macromolecular
strands in the form of double helix.
Building block of DNA is nucleotide.
Two nucleic acid chains are held together
by hydrogen bonds between specific pairs
of bases (i.e. Adenine---Thymine and
Cytosine---Guanine).