Question

Chlorine does not show hydrogen bonding in its compounds while nitrogen shows hydrogen bonding in its compounds. Identify the correct reason.

• A. Chlorine is not as highly electronegative as nitrogen
• B. Chlorine has vacant d-orbitals while nitrogen has no vacant 'd' sub shell
• C. $H-Cl$ bond is stronger than $N-H$ bond
• D. Chlorine has larger size than nitrogen

Answer 1

The correct option is D Chlorine has larger size than nitrogen

The chlorine atom is too large. Despite its electronegativity, the size of the atom is such that its electron density is too low to form hydrogen bonds. This is why Chlorine does not display hydrogen bonding while nitrogen does.