Quantum calculations study the manner in which the involvement
of a halogen atom as a proton acceptor in one or more H bonds (HBs)
affects the strength of the halogen bond (XB) it can form with a nucleophile
aligned with the X σ-hole. A variety of Lewis acids wherein
X = F, Cl, Br, and I are attached to a tetrel atom C or Ge engaged
in a XB with nucleophile NH3. One, two, and three HF molecules
were positioned perpendicular to the XB axis so that they could form
a HB to the X atom. Each such HB strengthened the XB by an increment
of 1 kcal/mol or more that does not attenuate as each new HB is added,
potentially increasing the interaction energy manyfold. Additionally,
the presence of one or more HBs facilitates the formation of a XB
by molecules which are reluctant to engage in such a bond in the absence
of these auxiliary interactions. Even the F atom, which avoids such
a XB, can be coaxed to participate in a XB of moderate strength by
one or more of these external HBs.