Can non-polar hydrogen atoms accept hydrogen bonds?

Abstract

We examine an unusual case where a neutral hydrogen atom acts as a hydrogen-bond acceptor. The association constant between trihexylsilane and perfluoro-tert-butanol was measured as ∼0.8 M⁻¹ in cyclohexane. Computations and experimental NMR data are consistent with a weak, but favourable Si–H⋯HO interaction.