Question

What is the bond angle and geometry of ethanol

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) has a molecular geometry that can be described in two parts: the ethyl group (C₂H₅) and the hydroxyl group (OH).

1. **Geometry:** The carbon atoms in the ethyl group are tetrahedral due to the presence of four bonds (three with hydrogen atoms and one with another carbon atom). The central carbon of the hydroxyl group is also tetrahedral since it is bonded to one oxygen atom and the other carbon.

2. **Bond Angles:** The bond angles around the carbon atoms are approximately 109.5 degrees, typical for tetrahedral geometry. The hydroxyl group (O-H) has a bond angle of around 104.5 degrees due to the influence of the lone pairs on the oxygen, which slightly compresses the bond angle.

In summary, ethanol exhibits tetrahedral geometry around the carbon atoms with bond angles typically around 109.5 degrees, and the O-H bond has a bond angle of about 104.5 degrees.