Which type of bonding accounts for the relatively high boiling point of #H_2O# as compared with the relatively low boiling point of #H_2S#?

1 Answer
Jan 4, 2016

Clearly the intermolecular force of hydrogen bonding is more significant for water.

Explanation:

Hydrogen bonding is an intermolecular force that operates between molecules where hydrogen is bound to a strongly electronegative element such as fluorine or nirogen.

Hydrogen sulfide has some (little) degree of hydrogen bonding, but sulfur is much less electronegative than oxygen, and hence its boiling point should be comparatively low. You should look up the boiling points of #H_2O#, #H_2S#, #H_2Se#, #H_2Te#. (Note that hydrogen sulfide smells pretty bad; hydrogen selenide and hydrogen telluride smell like dead dogs - they are also much more poisonous.)