Could someone answer this question, i'd appreciate it. Im stuck on it
The C-O-H bond angle is wider in methanol compared to water, and the C-O bond is longer then the OH bond in water due to:
A) Steric clashing of methyl C-H's and hydroxyl H.
B) Unshared pairs in water scissor H's inward, an effect not seen in methanol.
C) Water is constantly exchanging H's while methanol is not.
D) All of these
E) None of these
To determine the correct answer, let's analyze each option:
A) Steric clashing of methyl C-H's and hydroxyl H:
This option suggests that the wider C-O-H bond angle in methanol compared to water is due to steric clashes between the methyl C-H groups and the hydroxyl H in methanol. Steric clashes occur when bulky groups or atoms are too close together and experience repulsive forces. However, this is not a valid explanation for the difference in bond angles between methanol and water. Moreover, this option does not explain why the C-O bond is longer than the OH bond in water.
B) Unshared pairs in water scissor H's inward, an effect not seen in methanol:
This option proposes that the presence of unshared electron pairs in water causes the water molecules to "scissor" the hydrogen atoms inward, resulting in a narrower bond angle compared to methanol. However, this explanation is incorrect since the unshared pairs of electrons in water are not responsible for the difference in bond angles or bond lengths.
C) Water is constantly exchanging H's while methanol is not:
This option suggests that the constant exchange of hydrogen atoms in water influences its bond angles and bond lengths. However, this statement is incorrect. While hydrogen exchange does occur in water (e.g., through proton transfer reactions), it does not have a direct impact on the bond angles or bond lengths between carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen in water. Additionally, the statement that methanol does not undergo hydrogen exchange is not relevant to the question at hand.
Considering the analysis of options A, B, and C, we can see that none of them provide a valid explanation for the wider C-O-H bond angle in methanol and the longer C-O bond compared to the OH bond in water.
Thus, the correct answer is E) None of these.