TOJC-bonding with itself

casmiedm@PLU.edu
Mon, 23 Sep 1996 10:03:56 -0800 (PST)

Dear future chemistry majors,
Today I found out that it is possible for a molecule to hydrogen
bond with itself, sometimes in several places. The only condition that
must exist for this to occur is that the hydrogen must be slightly
positive, and the corresponding F, O , or N atom must be quite
electronegative. A good practical example of a molecule that is hydrogen
bonded to itself in many places is that of DNA. This is what helps the
molecule to obtain its helical confirmation.

Dan Casmier
casmiedm@plu.edu