NEETChemistryAlcohols Phenols and Ethers
Why is the C—O—H bond angle in alcohols slightly less than the tetrahedral angle whereas the C—O—C bond angle in ether is slightly greater?
Options
- AEthers have less repulsion between lone pairs on oxygen and bonding pairs in the C—O—C bond, causing a larger
- BThe C-O-H bond angle in alcohols is slightly less than the tetrahedral angle because of the repulsion between
- CAlcohols have a greater electronegativity difference between carbon and oxygen, resulting in a smaller bond an
- DEthers have a greater electronegativity difference between carbon and oxygen, resulting in a larger bond angle
Correct answer
B. The C-O-H bond angle in alcohols is slightly less than the tetrahedral angle because of the repulsion between
Step-by-step solution
Correct Option is : (B) The C-O-H bond angle in alcohols is slightly less than the tetrahedral angle because of the repulsion between the two lone pairs of electrons on oxygen atoms as these pairs pushes the C-O bonds closer to each other.In case of ethers, the oxygen atom is attached to bulky alkyl groups, hence repulsion between these R groups pushes the two C-O bonds away from each other and hence the bond angle is slightly greater than the tetrahedral angle.