among the hydrides of group 16 water shows unusual physical properties

• The oxygen has high electronegativity.
• Hence the O-H bond in H₂O forms strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds.
• As a result, water exist as an associated molecule.
• But the other hydrides of group 16 do not form hydrogen bonds.
• Therefore they exist as discrete molecules.
• Thus, water shows unusual physical properties such as high thermal stability, high b.p., weaker acidic character as compared to the other hydrides of group 16.