Crystal Field Splitting (Worksheet)

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Work in groups on these problems. You should try to answer the questions without referring to your textbook. If you get stuck, try asking another group for help.

Q1

Calculate the Crystal Field Stabilization Energy for both high spin and low spin octahedral complexes of $$Co(gly)_6^{3-}$$. Which is preferred?

Q2

Determine whether the $$Co^{+2}$$ complex with phenanthroline will prefer to be octahedral or tetrahedral based on Crystal Field Stabilization Energy.

Q3

Draw the M.O. diagram for an octahedral complex with six sigma donor ligands. Draw the electrons for a $$d^5$$ high spin complex.

Q4

What are Jahn-Teller distortions? Where do they come from? Show 'z - in' and 'z-out' configurations. Which is preferred for a $$d^9$$ configuration?

Q5

Draw the expected splitting for a $$Cu(ox)_3^{4-}$$ complex. Would the splitting pattern change if two of the Cu-O bond lengths were longer than the other four?

Q6

Using the Tanabe-Sugano diagrams, give the ground states for the free metal, high spin and low spin $$d^5$$ complexes. What are the first excited state for each of these? List all possible transitions. Draw the microstates of the ground state for each of the three species.

Q7

Determine the spin state for each of the following:

• $$Fe(OH_2)_6^{3+}$$
• $$V(CN)_6^{3-}$$
• $$CuI_4^{2-}$$
• $$RuCl_6^{4-}$$

Q8

Draw the expected splitting of the d orbitals for a trigonal bipyramidal geometry

Q9

Draw the high spin and low spin configurations for a $$d^4$$ ion in a tetrahedral field. Which is preferred and why?

Q10

Determine the Crystal Field Stabilization Energy for the tetrahedral $$Co^{+2}$$ complex with methylamine.