Question

Which of the following are strongly hydrogen bonded in the liquid phase? A) nitrilesB) esters C) secondary amides D) acid chlorides

Answer 1

Answer: Option (C) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

Chemical formula of a secondary amide is R'-CONH-R, where R and R' can be same of different alkyl or aryl groups. Here, the hydrogen atom of amide is attached to more electronegative oxygen atom of the C=O group.

Therefore, the hydrogen atom will be more strongly held by the electronegative oxygen atom. As a result, there will be  strongly hydrogen bonded in the liquid phase of secondary amide.

Whereas chemical formula of nitriles is RCN, ester is RCOOR' and acid chlorides are RCOCl. As no hydrogen bonding occurs in any of these compounds because hydrogen atom is not being attached to an electronegative atom.

Thus, we can conclude that secondary amides are strongly hydrogen bonded in the liquid phase.