The molecule having the largest bond angle is : — Chemical Bonding Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Hydrides of group 16 include H2O, H2S, H2Se, and H2Te. The bond angle in these hydrides decreases down the group. Step 2: As the central atom becomes larger and less electronegative from oxygen to tellurium, the bonding electron pairs are pulled further away from the central atom, reducing the steric and electrostatic repulsion between them. Alternatively, according to Drago's rule, bonding in H2S, H2Se, and H2Te involves nearly pure p-orbitals, resulting in bond angles close to 90°. Step 3: Since H2O is sp3-hybridized and has strong repulsion among its bonding pairs, it exhibits a bond angle of approximately 104.5°, which is the largest among the group 16 hydrides. Thus, option (a) is correct.