The correct order of increasing bond angles in the following species are :

Options

A. `Cl_(2)O lt ClO_(2) lt ClO_(2)^(-)`
B. `ClO_(2) lt Cl_(2)O lt ClO_(2)^(-)`
C. `Cl_(2)O^(-) lt ClO_(2)^(-) lt ClO_(2)`
D. `ClO_(2)^(-) lt Cl_(2)O lt ClO_(2)`

Answer

C

Explanation

The correct order of increasing bond angle is
`Cl_(2)O^(-) lt ClO_(2)^(-) lt ClO_(2)`

In `ClO_(2)O^(-)` there are 2 lone pairs of electrons present on the central chlorine atom. Therefore the bond angle in `ClO_(2)` is less than 118° which is the bond angle in `ClO_(2)` which has less number of electrons on chlorine.