Hi, I'm doing an Open University course and I'm very confused about one question: I have to make a copy of the structure in the picture to show two water molecules bonded to it by hydrogen bonds: one through a hydrogen atom of a water molecule and the other through the oxygen atom of a water molecule. Where would the water molecules be bonded to on this sulphonamide group? Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Not a chemist, Trippy might be able to respond better. I suspect that they are looking for where the sulphonamide molecule will develop a slight charge differential due to bonding. The cyclic 6-carbon with 3 double-bonds is typically very sharing of the electrons, and would not have that slight differential. Likewise, the N groups (amides) tend to be fully covalently bonded, without a charge differential. I presume the R stands for a carbon chain of some sort. That leaves the S, which has 6 bonds. I believe the O attachments to it would end up with the electrons spending more time around the S, leaving the O slightly charged. So the water molecules, which also have slight charge-differential across the width of the molecule, will 'Hydrogen-bond' at the exposed part of the O (away from the S). Right, Trippy?
