The correct order of increasing bond angles 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_6^(-) lt ClO_2`

Answer

A

Explanation

In `ClO_2` , Cl is `sp^2`- hybridized and the bond angle is `118^@`. In `Cl_2O` , O is `sp^3` - hybridized. However due to repulsions between two big sized Cl atoms, the bond angle increases from `109^@-28.` to `1.11^@` . In `ClO_2^(-)`, Cl atom is also `sp^3`-hybridized but due to lp-bp repulsions , the angle decreases from `109^@-28.` to `103^@` . Thus, the increasing order of bond angle is : `ClO_2^(-) lt Cl_2O lt ClO_2`