More specifically, it is the identity and consequently the ability of the ligand to donate or accept electrons to the center atom that will determine the molecular orbitals. This interaction reveals t...More specifically, it is the identity and consequently the ability of the ligand to donate or accept electrons to the center atom that will determine the molecular orbitals. This interaction reveals the amount of split between e g and t 2g energy levels of the molecular orbitals that ultimately dictates the strength of field of the ligands. In a π-donor ligand, the SALCs of the ligands are occupied, hence it donates the electrons to the molecular σ σ* and π π* orbitals.