Question

The P − P bond angle in P4 and S − S bond angle in cyclo S8 molecule are respectively

• A. 107° , 60°
• B. 60° , 40°
• C. 60° , 107°
• D. 40° , 60°

Hint:

In cyclic molecules like S8, the bond angles are influenced by the strain in the ring structure, leading to angles that deviate from idealized values.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

P4 molecule: In the P4 molecule, the phosphorus atoms are arranged in a tetrahedral geometry. The bond angle between the phosphorus atoms is 60°. This angle is smaller than the ideal tetrahedral bond angle of 109.5°, which is due to the lone pairs on the phosphorus atoms. The bond angles are compressed slightly due to the repulsion between the lone pairs of electrons, leading to a bond angle of 60°.
S8 molecule: The sulfur atoms in the S8 molecule form a puckered ring structure. The bond angles between sulfur atoms are 107°, which is close to the ideal tetrahedral angle of 109.5°, but slightly distorted due to the strain in the ring structure. The bonding in S8 involves single bonds with a bond angle that is smaller than the ideal angle due to the cyclic structure. Thus, the correct bond angles are: \[ \boxed{60^\circ , 107^\circ} \]