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3D lab · Coordination compounds

Crystal Field Splitting of d Orbitals in 3D

See which d orbitals point at the ligands in octahedral and tetrahedral complexes, then get the electron configuration, unpaired electrons, magnetic moment and CFSE.

Last updated: 26 October 2026

Direct answer

See which d orbitals point at the ligands in octahedral and tetrahedral complexes, then get the electron configuration, unpaired electrons, magnetic moment and CFSE.

d orbitals whose lobes point at the ligands (green) are pushed up in energy. In octahedral fields that is eg; in tetrahedral fields it is t2.

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Crystal Field Splitting of d Orbitals in 3D

Coordination compounds

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What's happening? d orbitals whose lobes point at the ligands (green) are pushed up in energy. In octahedral fields that is eg; in tetrahedral fields it is t2.
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Terms used on this page

CFSE

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Why are eg orbitals higher in an octahedral field?

dz² and dx²−y² point directly at the six ligands, so their electrons are repelled more.

Why are tetrahedral complexes high spin?

Δt is only about 4/9 of Δo, which is smaller than the pairing energy.

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