Hydrogen bonding preference in acids

AI Thread Summary
Hydrogen's preference for bonding with nitrogen over sulfur in molecules like thiocyanic acid is primarily due to the differences in electronegativity and atomic size between these elements. Nitrogen, being more electronegative than sulfur, attracts the hydrogen atom more effectively, leading to a stronger bond. Additionally, the smaller atomic radius of nitrogen allows for closer interactions with hydrogen, enhancing the likelihood of bonding. While hydrogen can technically bond to either atom, the chemical properties and structure of the molecules favor nitrogen as the more common bonding partner.
PhysicsCanuck
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Why does hydrogen bond more readily/commonly to one end/atom and not the other? (and which is more common?)
thiocyanic acid.jpg

I can't figure out why hydrogen is more likely to bond to either the nitrogen or to the sulphur atom.
I can't locate any information in any textbooks or online as to which molecule is more prevalent/common.

This is not a homework question.
I just came across one of these molecules and wondered why the hydrogen was on one end and not the other.Thank you for your help here!
 
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DrClaude said:
The hydrogen can bond to either side, but mostly to N:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiocyanic_acid
Thank you very much, DrClaude.
Could you tell me why hydrogen more readily/commonly bonds to the nitrogen?

Thank you very much for your time and help here
 
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