Where, and how does hydrogen-bonding occur? Does such bonding occur in HCF_3?

1 Answer
Apr 6, 2017

Hydrogen bonding occurs where HYDROGEN is bound to a strongly electronegative element...........

Explanation:

Hydrogen bonding occurs where HYDROGEN is bound to a strongly electronegative element, i.e. hydrogen is bound to fluorine, nitrogen, or oxygen. In "fluoroform", the hydrogen is bound to carbon not fluorine. The molecule is polar but does NOT display hydrogen bonding. And the best indicator for intermolecular forces is given by boiling point:

"Normal boiling point," HF=19.5 ""^@C

"Normal boiling point," HCF_3=-82.1 ""^@C

"Normal boiling point," CF_4=-127.8 ""^@C

Can you account for the volatilites in terms of intermolecular force?