Question

Which one of the following molecules will form a linear polymeric structure due to hydrogen bonding?
(A) $N{H_3}$
(B) ${H_2}O$
(C) $HCl$
(D) $HF$

Answer 1

Hint: Hydrogen bonding is a special type of dipole-dipole attraction between molecules. A hydrogen bond is formed when the positive end of one molecule is attracted to the negative end of another. It results from the attractive forces between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a very electronegative atom such as N, O, and F.

Complete step by step solution:
HF forms ${(HF)_n}$ linear polymeric structure due to hydrogen bonding. Its structure is as shown:

The fairly positive hydrogen on one HF molecule will be attracted to one of these lone pairs on a nearby HF molecule. This is known as a hydrogen bond.
Hydrogen bonds are attractions between a $\delta + $ hydrogen on one molecule and a lone pair on a very electronegative atom on another molecule.
Whereas, no hydrogen bonding exists between HCl, and ${H_2}O$ also has a cage-like structure.

Hence, option D is correct.

Note: Hydrogen fluoride is a strong acid. It is gas at room temperature and is supplied as a liquefied gas in the cylinders, and is also widely used in water solutions. Because of its high reactivity towards glass and moderate reactivity towards many metals, it is usually stored in plastic containers.