A proposed new name for hydrogen bonding: H-FON bonding

A Proposed New Name for Hydrogen Bonding: H-FON Bonding. Hydrogen bonding is a difficult concept for beginning students. A part of the confusion arise...
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A Proposed New Name for Hydrogen Bonding: H-FON Bonding Hydrogen bonding is a difficult concept for beginning students. A part of the confusion arises from the name, which emphasizes only one component of the interadion. With rare exceptions, hydrogen bonds arise only when the donor hydrogen is attached to fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. I therefore propose that these attractive forces he called H-FON bonds. This name indicates both the hydrogen component and the other possible components. H-FON (ppnounced "ich fon") is a short name that is more descriptive than the present name. I suggest instructors try it as a parenthetic alternative t o the traditional name. If students elsewhere respond as mine do, H-FON bonding will soon become the accepted name for the concept. John W. Hlll University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI 54022

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Journal of Chemical Education