Crystal field splitting in an octahedral complex is caused by ligand electron-metal electron repulsions. The energy separation between the higher energy eg set and lower energy t₂g set is denoted by ∆₀, with eg orbitals increasing by (3/5) ∆₀ and ...

Repulsion between metal d orbitals and ligand electrons in an octahedral complex leads to the removal of degeneracy. The dx² – y² and dz² orbitals, pointing toward ligands, experience more repulsion, resulting in higher energy, while dxy, dyz, and dxz ...

The nature of the crystal field influences the pattern of splitting in d orbitals, as the asymmetry created by ligands results in distinct energy levels for the orbitals in coordination complexes.

In isolation, the d orbitals of a metal atom/ion are degenerate due to spherical symmetry. However, the presence of ligands, forming an asymmetrical negative field, leads to the lifting of d orbital degeneracy through splitting.

CFT views the metal-ligand bond as ionic, emphasizing electrostatic interactions between the metal ion and ligands. Ligands are treated as point charges for anions or point dipoles for neutral molecules in this model.