In water H - O - H, bond angle is `104.5^(@)`, but in ethers (R - O - R), the C - O - C bond angle is about `110^(@)`. The reason is

Options

A. positive inductive effect of alkyl groups is more than that of hydrogen
B. the alkyl group is polar while hydrogen is not
C. distortion caused by the lone pair of oxygen atom is more than compensated by the bulky alkyl groups
D. the hybridisation of oxygen atom is different in ethers and in water.

Answer

C