Chemistry / Unit 12 Chem 2400 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Crystal Field Splitting in an Octahedral Complex
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The idea
In an octahedral complex, ligand electron pairs raise two d orbitals pointing at ligands (eg) above three pointing between them (t2g), the crystal field splitting.
In practice
Iron's five equal-energy d orbitals split into a higher eg pair and lower t2g trio once ligands coordinate octahedrally.
Where people slip
The d orbitals do not disappear or merge — crystal field theory describes energies separating, not their number.
Your place on the trail
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