Why is hydrogen an electron donor?

[StringJunky]

Going on the guiding principle that I was taught (O level here) that elements try to attain a noble gas electronic configuration in any reaction why does hydrogen give it's electron up rather than try to gain one to have two like helium? What property tips it that way?

[Enthalpy]

It can do both, for instance in H₂.

[JohnStu]

Going on the guiding principle that I was taught (O level here) that elements try to attain a noble gas electronic configuration in any reaction why does hydrogen give it's electron up rather than try to gain one to have two like helium? What property tips it that way?

 

 

I learned in high school it's called electronegativity. Hydrogen has a high electronnegativity thus tends to be more an electron donor.

[StringJunky]

It can do both, for instance in H₂.

 

Of course. Silly me. It was just a quick question that came in my head.

Edited December 2, 2012 by StringJunky