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 t₂g orbitals decreasing by (2/5) ∆₀.
How does the crystal field splitting occur in an octahedral complex, and what is the energy separation denoted by ∆₀?
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The removal of degeneracy in the d orbitals of a metal in an octahedral coordination entity is caused by ligand electron-metal electron repulsions. In octahedral complexes, the metal d orbitals split into higher-energy eg and lower-energy t₂g sets due to the asymmetry of ligand approach. The ligands, positioned along the axes, lead to increased repulsion for the d orbitals pointing towards the ligands (dx² – y² and dz²), raising their energy. Orbitals directed between the axes (dxy, dyz, and dxz) experience less repulsion, lowering their energy. This ligand-induced splitting, known as crystal field splitting, removes the degeneracy of the d orbitals in octahedral complexes.