What is the difference between hydrogen bonds and dipole dipole Interactions?

1 Answer
Oct 1, 2016

Hydrogen bonds are a specific type of dipole dipole interaction commonly found in water molecules.

Explanation:

Dipole dipole interactions occur between the partially negatively charged region, the negative dipole, and the partially positively charged region, the positive dipole, of two molecules. The opposite charges attract each other, forming a temporary bond between the two molecules.

This is exactly what occurs in hydrogen bonding. The slight positive charge of the hydrogen atom of a water molecule attracts the slight negative charge of the oxygen atom of another water molecule, forming a hydrogen bond. Hydrogen bonds are not permanent, they last only fractions of a second.

All in all, all hydrogen bonds are dipole dipole interactions. However, please note that not all dipole dipole interactions are hydrogen bonds.

I hope this helps!