Question

In what way(s) is(are) the structure of water similar to that of CHCl3? In what way is the structure of water different from that of CHCl3?

Answer 1

Answer:

See explanation below

Explanation:

In both cases the central atoms, C in CHCl₃ and O in H₂O, are sp³ hybridized .

Since they are sp³ hybridized we predict an angle  between the  H-C-Cl and H-O-H of 109.5 º ( tetrahedral ), but two of the sp³ orbitals in water are occupied by lone pairs.

These lone pairs do excercise more repulsion ( need more room ) than the bonds oxygen is making with hydrogen.

As a consequence of this repulsion the angles H-O-H are less than the predicted 109.5º in tetrahedra. ( Actually is 104.5 º)