Hydrogen-bond network of water

Definition

The hydrogen-bond network is the structure of water that non-polar gases interact with only weakly, limiting their solubility.

Because the bonds between oxygen atoms are non-polar, oxygen interacts weakly with this network and dissolves only sparingly. This weak interaction is why dissolved oxygen at room temperature is only about 8 mg/L. It connects molecular polarity to gas solubility in water.

Related concepts

Oxygen solubility versus temperature · Henry’s Law

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry