Ethylene oxide is an intermediate in the manufacture of ethylene glycol (antifreeze) and polyester polymers. More than 4 million tons are produced annually in the United States. The molecule has a...

Ethylene oxide is an intermediate in the manufacture of ethylene glycol (antifreeze) and polyester polymers. More than 4 million tons are produced annually in the United States. The molecule has a three-member ring of two C atoms and an O atom. (a) What are the bond angles in the ring? Comment on the relation between the bond angles expected based on hybridization and the bond angles expected for a three-member ring. (b) Is the molecule polar? Based on the electrostatic potential map shown below, where do the negative and positive charges lie in the molecule?