Ligand Field Splitting Calculator

Calculate d-Orbital Splitting and Energy Levels

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Ligand Field Splitting Calculator

Calculate d-orbital splitting patterns for different geometries.

Energy Levels: -

Spectrochemical Series Calculator

Compare ligand field strengths and predict splitting patterns.

Comparison: -

Understanding Ligand Field Theory

Basic Concepts

Ligand field theory describes how metal-ligand bonding affects d-orbital energies:

  • d-Orbital Splitting: Energy separation of d-orbitals
  • Δ (Delta): Crystal field splitting parameter
  • High/Low Spin: Electron configuration patterns
  • Geometry Effects: Impact of complex geometry

Geometries

Common coordination geometries:

  • Octahedral: Six ligands, Δₒ splitting
  • Tetrahedral: Four ligands, Δₜ = 4/9 Δₒ
  • Square Planar: Four ligands in plane
  • Distorted: Jahn-Teller effects

Applications

Ligand field theory explains:

  • Electronic spectra
  • Magnetic properties
  • Complex stability
  • Reaction mechanisms
  • Color of complexes

Spectrochemical Series

Ligands ordered by field strength:

  • Strong Field: CO, CN⁻, PPh₃
  • Medium Field: NH₃, en, py
  • Weak Field: H₂O, OH⁻, F⁻
  • Very Weak: Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻

Essential Ligand Field Formulas

Tetrahedral Splitting

Δₜ = 4/9 Δₒ

Orbital Energies

E(eg) = +0.6Δₒ

E(t2g) = -0.4Δₒ

Spin Pairing Energy

P = 2B + 4C