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Definition of the Hydrogen Bond: An Account
Pure and Applied Chemistry
  • E. Arunan
  • G. R. Desiraju
  • R. A. Klein
  • J. Sadlej
  • Steve Scheliner, Utah State University
  • I. Alkorta
  • D. C. Clary
  • R. H. Crabtree
  • J. J. Dannenberg
  • P. Hobza
  • H. G. Kjaergaard
  • A. C. Legon
  • B. Mennucci
  • D. J. Nesbitt
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2011
Disciplines
Abstract

The term “hydrogen bond” has been used in the literature for nearly a century now. While its importance has been realized by physicists, chemists, biologists, and material scientists, there has been a continual debate about what this term means. This debate has intensified following some important experimental results, especially in the last decade, which questioned the basis of the traditional view on hydrogen bonding. Most important among them are the direct experimental evidence for a partial covalent nature and the observation of a blue-shift in stretching frequency following X–H···Y hydrogen bond formation (XH being the hydrogen bond donor and Y being the hydrogen bond acceptor). Considering the recent experimental and theoretical advances, we have proposed a new definition of the hydrogen bond, which emphasizes the need for evidence. A list of criteria has been provided, and these can be used as evidence for the hydrogen bond formation. This list is followed by some characteristics that are observed in typical hydrogen-bonding environments.

Citation Information
Definition of the Hydrogen Bond: An Account E. Arunan, G. R. Desiraju, R. A. Klein, J. Sadlej, S. Scheiner, I. Alkorta, D. C. Clary, R. H. Crabtree, J. J. Dannenberg, P. Hobza, H. G. Kjaergaard, A. C. Legon, B. Mennucci, D. J. Nesbitt Pure and Applied Chemistry 2011 83 1619-1636