Hydrogen bonds form when a hydrogen atom is bonded to a highly electronegative atom, such as fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. The electronegative atom pulls electrons away from the hydrogen atom, creating a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom. This partial positive charge can then interact with a partial negative charge on another electronegative atom, creating a hydrogen bond.
Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the high boiling points of water and other polar molecules. They also play an important role in the structure and function of proteins and DNA.
