Question

The \[\ce{C - O - H}\] bond angle in alcohol is ______.

Options

• slightly greater than 109°28'

• slightly less than 109°28'

• slightly greater than 120°

• slightly less than 120°

Answer 1

The \[\ce{C - O - H}\] bond angle in alcohol is slightly less than 109°28'.

Explanation:

\[\ce{C - O - H}\] bond angle in alcohol is slightly less than slightly less than 109°28'.
The oxygen atom is sp³ hybridised, but the resulting bond angle \[\ce{C - O - H}\] is marginally smaller than the tetrahedral angle due to the mutual repulsion of two lone pairs of electrons on it.