Crystal field theory energies

Fig. 4.20. Crystal-field-theory energy-level diagram for a d ion (after Orgel, 1966 reproduced with the publisher s permission).

For Iran sition metals th c splittin g of th c d orbitals in a ligand field is most readily done using HHT. In all other sem i-ctn pirical meth -ods, the orbital energies depend on the electron occupation. HyperCh em s m oiccii lar orbital calcii latiori s give orbital cri ergy spacings that differ from simple crystal field theory prediction s. The total molecular wavcfunction is an antisymmetrized product of the occupied molecular orbitals. The virtual set of orbitals arc the residue of SCT calculations, in that they are deemed least suitable to describe the molecular wavefunction, ... 

Color from Transition-Metal Compounds and Impurities. The energy levels of the excited states of the unpaked electrons of transition-metal ions in crystals are controlled by the field of the surrounding cations or cationic groups. Erom a purely ionic point of view, this is explained by the electrostatic interactions of crystal field theory ligand field theory is a more advanced approach also incorporating molecular orbital concepts. 

Crystal-field theory (CFT) was constructed as the first theoretical model to account for these spectral differences. Its central idea is simple in the extreme. In free atoms and ions, all electrons, but for our interests particularly the outer or non-core electrons, are subject to three main energetic constraints a) they possess kinetic energy, b) they are attracted to the nucleus and c) they repel one another. (We shall put that a little more exactly, and symbolically, later). Within the environment of other ions, as for example within the lattice of a crystal, those electrons are expected to be subject also to one further constraint. Namely, they will be affected by the non-spherical electric field established by the surrounding ions. That electric field was called the crystalline field , but we now simply call it the crystal field . Since we are almost exclusively concerned with the spectral and other properties of positively charged transition-metal ions surrounded by anions of the lattice, the effect of the crystal field is to repel the electrons. 

Color is a spectacular property of coordination complexes. For example, the hexaaqua cations of 3 transition metals display colors ranging from orange through violet (see photo at right). The origin of these colors lies in the d orbital energy differences and can be understood using crystal field theory. 

With the absorption of a quantum with an energy of more than 3.05 eV resp. 3.29 eV, an electron is lifted out of the valence band and into the conduction band, thereby forming an exciton (Fig. 5). This interpretation is also supported by the molecular orbital theory and the crystal field theory regarding the bonding conditions in the TiC lattice. 

When a metal ion is surrounded by anions in a crystal, there is an electrostatic field produced by the anions that alters the energies of the d orbitals of the metal ion. The field generated in this way is known as a crystal field. Crystal field theory was developed in 1929 by Hans Bethe in an attempt to explain the spectral characteristics of metal ions in crystals. It soon became obvious that anions surrounding a metal in a crystal gave a situation that is very similar to the ligands (many of which are... 

In simple crystal field theory, the electronic transitions are considered to be occurring between the two groups of d orbitals of different energy. We have already alluded to the fact that when more than one electron is present in the d orbitals, it is necessary to take into account the spin-orbit coupling of the electrons. In ligand field theory, these effects are taken into account, as are the parameters that represent interelectronic repulsion. In fact, the next chapter will deal extensively with these factors. 

Although Chapter 25 does not address directly why some compounds with coordination 4 are tetrahedral and some are square planar, it is possible to surmise that the answer lies with (1) Crystal Field Theory and the energies of the d orbitals involved bonding and (2) how many unpaired electrons the metal complex has. 

Figure 5.6 Energy level diagram of the splitting of the J-orbitals of a transition metal ion as a result of (a) octahedral co-ordination and (b) tetrahedral coordination, according to the crystal field theory. (From Cotton and Wilkinson, 1976 Figure 23-4. Copyright 1976 John Wiley Sons, Inc. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)...

The above discussion has considered the stabilization of complexes in terms of the crystal field theory. It is desirable to consider the same topic in terms of modern molecular orbital theory. Although the development and sophisticated consideration of the MO treatment is far beyond the scope of this chapter, an abbreviated, qualitative picture will be presented, focusing again on the energy levels of the highest occupied and lowest empty orbitals and again using the square planar d case. 

The analogy between the two theories is only formal. Crystal field theory is a purely electrostatic approach that does not take into consideration the formation of MOs and the nature of the bond. According to crystal field theory, optical and magnetic properties are ascribed to crystal field splitting between two AOs, whereas in ligand field theory energy splitting occurs between AOs, and... 

The Jahn-Teller principle finds applications both in the framework of crystal field theory and in the evaluation of energy levels through the LCAO-MO approach. In both cases, practical apphcations are restricted to 3d transition elements. 

Crystal Field Theory (CFT) has also been used considerably to rationalize visible absorption spectra, hydration energies, stabilities of complexes, rates and mechanism of reaction, and redox potentials of transition element ions. These applications of CFT are summarized in a book by Basolo and Pearson 1B6). 

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