Much of the suitability of ATP as an energy intermediary is related to the instability of the bonds between the phosphate groups. These bonds are unstable because . the phosphate groups are polar and are attracted to the water in the interior of a cell
they are hydrogen bonds, which are only about 10% as strong as covalent bonds
the negatively charged phosphate groups vigorously repel one another
the valence electrons in the phosphorus atom have less energy on average than those of other atoms