Which of the following intermolecular forces are present in a sample of HClO (hypochlorous acid)?

• A. Ionic bonding and London dispersion forces
• B. Hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces
• C. Only dipole-dipole interactions
• D. Only London dispersion forces

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the types of intermolecular forces: Ionic bonding occurs between ions, hydrogen bonding occurs when hydrogen is directly bonded to highly electronegative atoms like N, O, or F, dipole-dipole interactions occur between polar molecules, and London dispersion forces are present in all molecules due to temporary dipoles.
2. Analyze the molecular structure of HClO (hypochlorous acid): It contains hydrogen (H) bonded to oxygen (O), which is a highly electronegative atom, chlorine (Cl), and oxygen (O).
3. Determine if hydrogen bonding is possible: Since hydrogen is bonded to oxygen, hydrogen bonding can occur because of the strong polarity and the presence of lone pairs on oxygen.
4. Check for dipole-dipole interactions: HClO is a polar molecule due to differences in electronegativity between H, O, and Cl, so dipole-dipole interactions are present.
5. Recognize that London dispersion forces are always present in all molecules, including HClO, due to instantaneous dipoles formed by electron movement.