Hydrogen Bonding Atoms

[Brandon Valafar]

For intermolecular hydrogen bonds, can hydrogen only bond to NOF atoms (with lone pairs) that are also attached/bonded to a hydrogen beforehand, or can they attach to any NOF atoms with lone pairs even if they aren't attached/bonded to a hydrogen beforehand within their molecule?

TL;DR - Can hydrogen created H-bonds with any NOF atoms or only those already attached to an H atom within their molecule?

[Tiffany Chao 2H]

I believe hydrogen can form H-bonds with any N, O, F that have lone pairs regardless of whether it's already attached to a hydrogen or not.

[andrewcj 2C]

it can bond with any N, O, or F atom with lone pairs available.

[Anika Chakrabarti 1A]

If the intermolecular forces are between two of the same molecule, each molecule must have a hydrogen atom attached to an F, O, or N atom.

[Areli C 1L]

I believe it does not matter whether they are bonded or not. Since its an intermolecular interaction H bond will be able to pair with any NOF atom.

[Shutong Hou_1F]

I think that hydrogen bonding could form between a hydrogen atom bound to an N/O/F atom and an N/O/F atom with lone pair electrons.

[ValerieChavarin 4F]

Hydrogen bonds are formed between H and N,O,F atoms that have lone pairs.