`Th C-O-O` bond angle in the ether molecule is

Options

A. `104.5^(@)`
B. `108.5^(@)`
C. `180^(@)`
D. `111.7^(@)`

Answer

D

Explanation

Let's compare the bond angle of water, alcohols and ethers. In each case the central oxygen atom uses `sp^(3)HO's`. When hydrogens are bonded to hydbridized heteroatoms (e.g. oxygen), there is always a contraction of the bond angle, the bond angle in water is `104.5^(@)`, the bond angle in alcohols is `108.5^(@)`, which is very close to `109^(@)`, the btetrahedral angle. The `C-O-C` bond angle in ether is `111.7^(@)`. As the groups bonded to oxygen increases in size, the repulsive vender waals forces between them increase, causing an expansion of the angle.