Intermolecular interactions

PhD. NGUYEN Phuong Nhung

nhungnguyen.hup.edu@gmail.com
Hanoi University of Science and Technology of Hanoi
Lecture objectives

To understand the types of intermolecular forces and their relative

magnitudes.

To anticipate key interaction (s) of molecules in specified mixtures

Contents

1 2 3 4 5
Polar classification Van der Waals Ion dipole forces Hydrogen bond Hydrophobic
of molecules and interaction interactions
particles
Textbooks and references

Chapter 2. pages 15 - 19
Molecules and
particles
classification
Ionic compounds
• Electron exchange
• Separate ions: Na+, Cl-
Covalent compounds
• Formation of covalent bond
• Each atom has unpaired (single) electron
• Each bond includes two shared electrons from two atoms
• Depending on electronegativity of two atoms:
• Nonpolar bond: Cl2, H2, N2,…
• Polar bond: HCl, H2O…
• Depending on polarity of bond and molecular shape:
• Polar compounds: HCl, NH3,…
• Nonpolar compounds: O2,CH4,…
Polarity
Molecular forces
Van der Waals forces
• Interaction between closed electron shell between
molecules and depends on the distance between
molecules (inverse sixth power)

• 3 types:
• Dipole dipole interaction
• Dipole – induced dipole interaction
• London forces
Dipole dipole interaction
(Keesom forces)
• Polar molecules with permanent
dipoles
• Negatively charged end directs
towards positively charged end
• Energy range: 1 – 7 kcal
• Examples: HCl, ethanol, acetone
and phenol
Dipole dipole force stabilize secondary
structure of protein
• Planar peptide bond

• Polarization of C=O, N-H

• α-helix stabilized by dipole

dipole force
Dipole – induced dipole interaction (Debye forces)

• Permanent dipole and temporary

dipole
• Energy range: 1 – 3 kcal/mol.
• Example: oxygen and water
London forces (dispersion forces)
• Temporary dipole – temporary dipole
• Energy range: 0.5 – 1 kcal/mol
• Example: I2 – I2 interaction
Bilayer lipid stabilization by London forces
• Single interaction: weak
• Numerous London
interactions: large
stabilization force
Ion dipole force
• Ion – permanent dipole
• Energy range: 1 – 7 kcal/mol
• Example: hydration of sodium
Ion induced dipole forces
• Ion and temporary dipole
• Example:
Hydrogen bond

• Specific case of dipole dipole

interaction
• Electron donor and acceptor
• Donor: highly electronegative
atoms with unpaired electrons (F,
O, N, possibly S)
• Acceptor: hydrogen bound to
highly electronegative atoms (F, O,
N)
 Hydrogen bond in water

Compound Boiling point (oC)

H2 O 100
H2 S -60.3
H2Se -41.25
H2Te -2
Hydroge
n bond
in
protein
Intramolecular hydrogen
bond
 • Non polar molecules and atoms with water
• Critical for the stabilization of many molecules
Hydrophobic effect especially macromolecules such as proteins,
aggregation of amphiphilic molecules (e.g.
cell membrane…)