Abstract: Quantum chemical calculations are performed to gauge the effect of cationÀ and hydrogen bonding interactions on each other. Mphenolacceptor (M = Li+ and Mg2+; acceptor = H2O, HCOOH, HCN, CH3OH, HCONH2 and NH3) is taken as a model ternary system that exhibits the cationÀ and hydrogen bonding interactions. Cooperativity is quantified and the computed positive cooperativity between cationÀ and hydrogen bonding interactions is rationalized through reduced variational space (RVS) and charge analyses.