JEE Main · 2021 · Shift-ImediumBOND-148

Given below are two statements — Assertion A and Reason R: Assertion A: Dipole–dipole interactions are the only…

Chemical Bonding · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

Given below are two statements — Assertion A and Reason R:

Assertion A: Dipole–dipole interactions are the only non-covalent interactions resulting in hydrogen bond formation.

Reason R: Fluorine is the most electronegative element and hydrogen bonds in HF are symmetrical.

Choose the most appropriate answer:

Options
  1. a

    A is false but R is true

  2. b

    Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

  3. c

    A is true but R is false

  4. d

    Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Correct Answera

A is false but R is true

Detailed Solution

🧠 Evaluate whether H-bonds are purely dipole–dipole in nature, and whether fluorine being most electronegative is the reason for H-bond formation.

🗺️ Evaluate Assertion A:

Hydrogen bonds have three components:

  1. Electrostatic/dipole–dipole interaction (dominant)
  2. Covalent character (partial orbital overlap between H and acceptor lone pair)
  3. Dispersion contribution

Saying "dipole–dipole interactions are the only non-covalent interactions" is FALSE — there is also a covalent/quantum mechanical component. The statement is an oversimplification.

A is FALSE

Evaluate Reason R:

"Fluorine is the most electronegative element" → TRUE

This is why F–H···F bonds are the strongest H-bonds. Fluorine's high electronegativity polarizes the H–F bond strongly, creating a highly positive H that strongly attracts lone pairs.

R is TRUE

Answer: A is false but R is true\boxed{\text{Answer: A is false but R is true}}

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Given below are two statements — Assertion A and Reason R: Assertion A: Dipole–dipole interactions… (JEE Main 2021) | Canvas Classes