Question

The crystal field splitting energy for octahedral $(\Delta_0)$ and tetrahedral $(\Delta_t) $complexes is related as

• A. $\Delta_t=-\frac{1}{2}\Delta_0$
• B. $\Delta_t=-\frac{4}{9}\Delta_0$
• C. $\Delta_t=-\frac{3}{5}\Delta_0$
• D. $\Delta_t=-\frac{2}{5}\Delta_0$
• E. $\Delta_t=-\frac{9}{4}\Delta_0$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

In tetrahedral complexes, the number of ligands is less than the octahedral complexes. Hence, the value of crystal field splitting energy of tetrahedral complexes $(\Delta_t)$ is nearly half the value for octahedral complexes $(\Delta_0). \Delta_t\, and\, $$\Delta_0$ are related as
$\, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \, \Delta_t=-\frac{4}{9}\Delta_0$