PPT Slide
- Crystal field theory describes bonding in transition metal complexes.
- The formation of a complex is a Lewis acid-base reaction.
- Both electrons in the bond come from the ligand and are donated into an empty, hybridized orbital on the metal.
- Charge is donated from the ligand to the metal.
- Assumption in crystal field theory: the interaction between ligand and metal is electrostatic.
- The more directly the ligand attacks the metal orbital, the higher the energy of the d orbital.