Question

What is the Crystal Field Stabilization Energy (CFSE) for a d⁸ metal ion in an octahedral field?

Hint:

Consider the splitting of d-orbitals in the octahedral field.

Answer 1

CFSE depends on the electronic configuration and the ligand field strength (strong or weak). Strong field ligands create low-spin complexes, while weak field ligands create high-spin complexes.

For strong field ligands (low spin): −1.2Δ₀ + 2P

For weak field ligands (high spin): −0.8Δ₀ − 0.8Δ₀