hydrogen bond

views updated

hydrogen bond A bond between molecules in one of which hydrogen atoms are bound to the electronegative atoms fluorine (F), nitrogen (N), or oxygen (O), producing a strongly polarized bond (e.g. O–H) that bonds weakly to another H (e.g. H–O–H, or H2O). Hydrogen bonding gives water its peculiar properties and provides the link in base pairing. See also covalent bond, ionic bond, and metallic bond.

More From encyclopedia.com