Why doesn't chlorine form hydrogen bonds even though it is more electronegative than nitrogen?

Chlorine has a higher electronegativity, but as it has a large atomic radius the electron density is spread out over a large area. This means that the electron density is too low to form proper hydrogen bonds, and will only be attracted via dipole-dipole attraction.

CL
Answered by Callum L. Chemistry tutor

16252 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why does reacting a bromoalkane with ammonia result in a quaternary ammonium salt and not an amine?


How do you work out an electron configuration?


Define Electronegativity


What is Le Chatelier's Principle?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning