The orbital splitting energies (∆ₜ) in tetrahedral coordination entities are not large enough to force electron pairing, resulting in low spin configurations. The relationship is given by ∆ₜ = (4/9) ∆₀ for the same metal, ligands, and metal-ligand distances.
Why are low spin configurations rarely observed in tetrahedral coordination entities despite the inverted and smaller d orbital splitting compared to octahedral field splitting?
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Low-spin configurations are rarely observed in tetrahedral coordination entities due to the smaller energy gap between the t2 and e orbitals in tetrahedral field splitting compared to octahedral field splitting. In tetrahedral coordination, the energy required for electrons to move to higher energy t2 orbitals is relatively small, making it energetically favorable for electrons to occupy these higher energy orbitals and adopt a high-spin configuration. This contrasts with octahedral coordination where the larger energy gap favors electrons staying in lower energy orbitals, promoting low-spin configurations. The smaller energy difference in tetrahedral coordination makes it less conducive to stabilizing low-spin states.