Is intermolecular hydrogen bonding considered a van der Waals force?

1 Answer
Mar 31, 2018

Yes.

Explanation:

Van der Waals forces include dipole-dipole forces, dipole-induced dipole forces, and London dispersion forces.
Side note: Some people have the misconception that van der Waals forces only include London dispersion forces, but this is actually incorrect.

Hydrogen bonding refers to the intermolecular dipole-dipole attraction between molecules that contain #H-F#, #H-O#, or #H-N# bonds.

So, because hydrogen bonding is a dipole-dipole force, it would be considered a van der Waals force as well. :)

For more information on van der Waals forces, check out this awesome answer by Ernest Z.!