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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Hydrogen Bond Donor and Acceptor?

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The difference between hydrogen bond donors and acceptors lies in their roles in the formation of hydrogen bonds.

  • Hydrogen Bond Donor: The donor in a hydrogen bond is usually a strongly electronegative atom, such as N, O, or F, that is covalently bonded to a hydrogen atom. The electronegative atom pulls the covalently bonded electron pair closer to its nucleus, leaving the hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge. This results in a dipole-dipole attraction between the hydrogen atom bonded to the donor and the lone pair of electrons of another atom within the molecule or another molecule.
  • Hydrogen Bond Acceptor: The hydrogen acceptor is an electronegative atom of a neighboring molecule or ion that contains a lone pair of electrons that participates in the hydrogen bond. The acceptor provides the electron pair for the formation of the hydrogen bond.

In summary, hydrogen bond donors provide the hydrogen atom, while hydrogen bond acceptors provide the electron pair for the formation of a hydrogen bond.

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  • What is the Difference Between Hydrogen Bond Donor and Acceptor?
  • Comparative Table: Hydrogen Bond Donor vs Acceptor

    • Comparative Table: Hydrogen Bond Donor vs Acceptor

    Here is a table summarizing the differences between hydrogen bond donors and acceptors:

    Property Hydrogen Bond Donor Hydrogen Bond Acceptor
    Definition A hydrogen bond donor is an atom that provides a highly polar hydrogen atom for hydrogen bond formation, usually a strongly electronegative atom such as N, O, or F. A hydrogen bond acceptor is an electronegative atom of a neighboring molecule or ion that contains a lone pair of electrons, which can accept a hydrogen bond.
    Role in Hydrogen Bonding The hydrogen donor atom pulls the covalently bonded electron pair closer to its nucleus, leaving the hydrogen atom with a partial positive charge, creating a dipole-dipole attraction between the hydrogen atom bonded to the donor and the lone pair of electrons on the acceptor. The hydrogen acceptor atom accepts the dipole-dipole attraction between the hydrogen atom bonded to the donor and its lone pair of electrons, forming a hydrogen bond.
    Examples Hydrogen bond donors can include -OH, -NH, and -SH functional groups. Hydrogen bond acceptors include electronegative atoms such as N, O, and F, which can accept hydrogen bonds from neighboring molecules or ions.
    Molecular Functionality Both hydrogen bond donors and acceptors contribute to the formation of intermolecular forces, which influence the physical properties of compounds, such as boiling points and solubility.
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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.