Chapter 25, Problem 42E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The octahedral crystal field splitting diagram for each of the given metal ion is to be drawn.

Concept Introduction: In octahedral complexes the $d_{xy},d_{yz},d_{xz}$ orbitals have same energy while $d{z}^{2}and{d}_{x^2-y^2}$ have same energy. Electrons are filled in orbitals of equivalent energy in an aufbau manner but for the configurations, $d^4-d^7$ there are two possible filling schemes depending on the magnitude of splitting field energy relative to the mean pairing energy, P.

• The metal ions with $d^4,d^5,d^6$ and $d^7$ configuration have low-spin and high-spin possibilities.

• As there are three lower-energy d-orbitals, the $d^1,d^{2}and{d}^3$ metal ions have unpaired electrons.

• The metal ions with $d^8,d^{9}and{d}^{10}$ configuration have completely filled three lower energy orbitals, thus, the remaining electrons fill the two higher energy orbitals (in accordance to Hund's rule).