The expected bond angle in an idealized tetrahedral geometry is , but in trimethylamine, steric factors alter it. What is the approximate measured bond angle (in degrees) for trimethylamine?

Question

The expected $C-N-C$ bond angle in an idealized tetrahedral geometry is $109.5^\circ$, but in trimethylamine, steric factors alter it. What is the approximate measured bond angle (in degrees) for trimethylamine?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 108. In trimethylamine, the nitrogen is hybridized, which gives an ideal tetrahedral angle of 109.5°. While a lone pair usually compresses this angle (as in ammonia at ), the presence of three bulky methyl groups introduces steric repulsion, pushing the bond angle back open to approximately .

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