Crystal Field Theory Exploration

What is the energy difference between the two sets of d-orbitals in an octahedral complex called?

• Octahedral distortion energy

• Crystal field splitting energy (Δo)

• Ligand field strength

• Electron pairing energy

Describe the splitting pattern of d-orbitals in a tetrahedral coordination complex.

• The d-orbitals split into one set of four orbitals and one set of one orbital.

• The d-orbitals split into three sets of equal energy.

• The d-orbitals remain degenerate in a tetrahedral complex.

• The d-orbitals split into two sets: a lower energy set of two orbitals and a higher energy set of three orbitals.

How does the strength of a ligand affect the crystal field splitting energy in coordination complexes?

• The strength of a ligand increases the crystal field splitting energy in coordination complexes.

• Weaker ligands increase the crystal field splitting energy.

• The strength of a ligand has no effect on crystal field splitting energy.

• The crystal field splitting energy decreases with stronger ligands.

List three ligands that are considered strong field ligands in the spectrochemical series.

• SO4^2-, PO4^3-, ClO4^-

• F-, I-, Br-

• CN-, CO, NH3

• Cl-, H2O, NO2

What is the relationship between the color observed in a coordination complex and the wavelength of light absorbed?

• The color observed is determined by the intensity of light absorbed.

• The color observed is identical to the wavelength of light absorbed.

• The color observed is complementary to the wavelength of light absorbed.

• The color observed has no relation to the wavelength of light absorbed.

Explain why tetrahedral complexes generally have smaller splitting energy compared to octahedral complexes.

• Tetrahedral complexes generally have smaller splitting energy than octahedral complexes due to less ligand-ligand repulsion and different orbital alignment.

• Octahedral complexes have smaller splitting energy because of their symmetrical shape.

• Tetrahedral complexes split d-orbitals more than octahedral complexes.

• Tetrahedral complexes have larger splitting energy due to more ligand-ligand repulsion.

Which type of ligand would you expect to produce a larger splitting in an octahedral complex: a strong field ligand or a weak field ligand?

• A neutral ligand.

• A strong field ligand.

• A bidentate ligand.

• A weak field ligand.

How does the geometry of a coordination complex influence its electronic transitions and color?

• The geometry of a coordination complex influences its electronic transitions and color by altering the d-orbital splitting, affecting the wavelengths of light absorbed.

• Geometry only influences the size of the complex, not its color.

• Only the metal ion affects the color, not the geometry.

• The geometry has no effect on electronic transitions or color.