Question

Explain why inspite of nearly the same electronegativity, nitrogen forms hydrogen bonding while chlorine does not?

Answer 1

Electronegativity of both nitrogen(N) as well as chlorine (Cl) is 3.0. But only nitorgen forms hydrogen bonding not chlorine. The reason is that atomic size of N (atomic radius =70 pm) is less as compared to chlorine (atomic radius=99 pm). Therefore, N can cause greater polarization of N--H bond than Cl in case of Cl--H bond, Hence, N atom is involved in hydrogen bonding and not chlorine.