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ExamsJEE MainChemistry

Arrange the following species in the order of increasing bond angle: ClO2, Cl2O, ClO2−

  1. Cl2O < ClO2 < ClO2−
  2. ClO2 < Cl2O < ClO2−
  3. Cl2O < ClO2− < ClO2
  4. ClO2− < Cl2O < ClO2

Correct answer: ClO2− < Cl2O < ClO2

Solution

Bond angles: ClO2- ~110.5 deg, Cl2O ~111 deg, ClO2 ~117.4 deg. ClO2 is widest because it is an odd-electron radical (single non-bonding electron exerts less repulsion than a lone pair), giving the order ClO2- < Cl2O < ClO2.

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