Among NH3, H2O and HF, which would you expect to have highest magnitude of hydrogen bonding and why?
The extent of hydrogen bonding depends upon electronegativity and the number of hydrogen atoms available for bonding. Among nitrogen, fluorine, and oxygen, the increasing order of their electronegativities are N < O < F. Hence, the expected order of the extent of hydrogen bonding is HF > H2O > NH3.
The extent of hydrogen bonding depends upon electronegativity and the number of hydrogen atoms available for bonding. Among nitrogen, fluorine, and oxygen, the increasing order of their electronegativities are N < O < F. Hence, the expected order of the extent of hydrogen bonding is HF > H2O > NH3.
