In methyl acetate, the α bond is a C=O double bond, which is the shortest among the three.
The β bond is a C−O single bond adjacent to a carbonyl group. Due to resonance (CH3−C(=O)−O−CH3↔CH3−C(−O−)=O+−CH3), the β bond acquires partial double bond character, making it shorter than a pure single bond.
The γ bond is a pure C−O single bond between an sp3 hybridized carbon and oxygen, with no resonance involvement. Thus, it is the longest bond.
Therefore, the correct order of bond lengths is α<β<γ.
Answer: α<β<γ
