What is the Difference Between Intermolecular and Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding?

The main difference between intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding lies in the location where the hydrogen bonds occur.

• Intermolecular hydrogen bonding occurs between separate molecules in a substance. These bonds can form between like or unlike molecules, as long as there are hydrogen donors and acceptors present within close proximity to each other.
• Intramolecular hydrogen bonding occurs within a single molecule. This happens when two functional groups within a molecule can form hydrogen bonds with each other, as long as both a hydrogen donor and a hydrogen acceptor are present within the molecule and are within close proximity of each other.

Both intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding involve a hydrogen atom that is covalently bonded to a strongly electronegative atom, such as N, O, or F. The electronegative atom can attract the bonding electron pair towards itself, creating a dipole. These dipoles can then interact with other polar molecules, leading to hydrogen bonding.

Comparative Table: Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding

Here is a table comparing intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding:

Intermolecular hydrogen bonding occurs between two neighboring molecules, while intramolecular hydrogen bonding occurs within the same molecule. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding can affect the stability and reactivity of a molecule, whereas intermolecular hydrogen bonding can influence physical properties such as boiling points and melting points.