Answer to Question #214237 in Inorganic Chemistry for Pranjal

Question

Crystal field splitting energy of [Cr(NH3)6]2+ is 10,200 cm-1, while for [Cr(NH3)4]2+ is 5900 cm-1.

Answer 1

In an octahedral complex, the d orbitals of the central metal ion divide into two sets of different energies. The separation in energy is the crystal field splitting energy, Δ. (A) When Δ is large, it is energetically more favourable for electrons to occupy the lower set of orbitals.