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


The C—O—H bond angle in alcohols is slightly less than the tetrahedral angle due the repulsion between the unshared pair of electrons or the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom, whereas, the C—O—C bond angle in ether is slightly greater than the tetrahedral angle due to the repulsive interaction between the two bulky alkyl groups.


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