question_answer 96)

  Why is the C?O?H bond angle in alcohols slightly less than the tetrahedral angle where the C?O?C bond angle in ether is slightly greater ?

Answer:

                  The oxygen atom in both alcohols and ethers in sp3-hybridized. However, due to greater lone pair-lone pair than bond pair-bond pair repulsions, the C?O?H bond angle in alcohols is slightly lower (109°) than the normal tetrahedral angle of 109°-28'. However, in ethers C?O?C bond angle n slightly greater (110°) than tetrahedral angle due to repulsions between the two bulky R groups.