Ethers have a tetrahedral geometry i.e. oxygen is sp
3
hybridized. The C−O−C bond angle is 110
o
. Because of the greater electronegativity of O than C, the C−O bonds are slightly polar & are inclined to each other at an angle of 110
o
, resulting in a net dipole moment. This bond angle greater than that of tetrahedral bond angle of 109
o
28
′
. This is due to the fact that internal repulsion by the hydrocarbon part is greater than the external repulsion of the lone pair of oxygen.
