JEE Main · 2022 · 27 Jun 2022 · Shift 2 · Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

The correct order of increasing intermolecular hydrogen bond strength is

(A) $HCN < H_{2} O < NH_{3}$
(B) $HCN < CH_{4} < NH_{3}$
(C) $CH_{4} < HCN < NH_{3}$ ✓ Correct
(D) $CH_{4} < NH_{3} < HCN$

Answer: (C)

Solution

CH_{4}

cannot form hydrogen bonds as carbon is not sufficiently electronegative. HCN can form weak hydrogen bonds (N—H···N), but nitrogen in HCN is less electronegative in the bonding context compared to nitrogen in

NH_{3}

NH_{3}

forms strong hydrogen bonds due to the high electronegativity of nitrogen and the presence of a lone pair. Therefore, the order is

CH_{4} < HCN < NH_{3}

JEE Main · 2022 · 27 Jun 2022 · Shift 2 · Single correct option

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