The correct order of increasing bond angle in the following species is

Options

A. `ClO_2 lt Cl_2O lt ClO_2^-`
B. `Cl_2O lt ClO_2^(-) lt ClO_2`
C. `ClO_2^(-) lt Cl_2O lt ClO_2`
D. `Cl_2O lt ClO_2 lt ClO_2^(-)`

Answer

C

Explanation

As the number of lone pairs of electrons increases, bond angle decreases due to repulsion decreases between lp-lp. Moreover, as the electronegativity of the central atom decreases, bond angle decreases.
`therefore` order of bond angles is