Question

Which is having a higher bond angle and why? ${\mathrm{ClO}}_2$or ${{\mathrm{ClO}}_2}^{-}$?

Answer 1

Bond angle

• It is defined as the angle between the orbitals containing bonding electron pairs around the central atom in a molecule or complex ion.
• The bond angle is measured in degrees.
• It can be obtained experimentally using spectroscopic methods.

Structure of ${\mathrm{ClO}}_2$ and ${{\mathrm{ClO}}_2}^{-}$

Bond angle of ${\mathrm{ClO}}_2$and ${{\mathrm{ClO}}_2}^{-}$

• In case of ${\mathrm{ClO}}_2$, only one lone pair of electrons. So, due to lower lone pair-bond pair repulsion, the bond angle is slightly higher than ${{\mathrm{ClO}}_2}^{-}$.
• The two lone pairs of chlorine cause the lone pair repulsion in ${{\mathrm{ClO}}_2}^{-}$.
• Consequently, the bond angle drops from $109.5°$to $105°$.

Hence, the bond angle of ${\mathrm{ClO}}_2$ is greater than ${{\mathrm{ClO}}_2}^{-}$.