The correct order of increasing bond angle is

Options

A. `OF_(2)ltClO_(2)ltH_(2)OltCl_(2)O`
B. `OF_(2)ltH_(2)OltCl_(2)OltClO_(2)`
C. `OF_(2)ltH_(2)OltClO_(2)ltCl_(2)O`
D. `ClO_(2)ltOF_(2)ltH_(2)OltCl_(2)O`

Answer

To determine the correct order of increasing bond angles for the compounds OF2, ClO2, H2O, and Cl2O, we can analyze the molecular geometry and the effects of lone pairs and electronegativity on bond angles.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Molecular Geometry**:
- **H2O (Water)**: The molecular geometry is bent due to two lone pairs on oxygen. The bond angle is approximately 104.5°.
- **OF2 (Oxygen Difluoride)**: The molecular geometry is also bent with two lone pairs on oxygen. The bond angle is about 102°.
- **Cl2O (Dichlorine Monoxide)**: The molecular geometry is bent as well, with one lone pair on oxygen. The bond angle is approximately 110°.
- **ClO2 (Chlorine Dioxide)**: The molecular geometry is bent with one lone pair on chlorine. The bond angle is around 117°.

2. **Analyze the Effects of Lone Pairs**:
- Lone pairs occupy more space than bonding pairs, leading to greater repulsion and smaller bond angles.
- In H2O and OF2, the presence of two lone pairs on oxygen decreases the bond angle compared to Cl2O and ClO2, which have fewer lone pairs.

3. **Consider Electronegativity**:
- The electronegativity of surrounding atoms also affects bond angles. More electronegative atoms (like F) can pull electron density away, affecting the bond angles.
- In OF2, the highly electronegative F atoms create a smaller bond angle compared to H2O.

4. **Order the Compounds by Bond Angle**:
- Based on the analysis:
- OF2 has the smallest bond angle (~102°).
- H2O follows with a bond angle of approximately 104.5°.
- Cl2O has a larger bond angle (~110°).
- ClO2 has the largest bond angle (~117°).

5. **Final Order**:
- Therefore, the correct order of increasing bond angles is:
- OF2 < H2O < Cl2O < ClO2