Griffith ligand field theory

Pauling used his valence bond approach to explain differences in magnetic behavior among coordination compounds by use of either 3d or 4d orbitals of the metal ion. Griffith and Orgel developed and popularized the use of ligand field theory, derived from the crystal field theory of Bethe and Van Vleck ° on the behavior of metal ions in crystals and from the molecular orbital treatment of Van Vleck. Several of these approaches are described in Chapter 10, with emphasis on the ligand field theory. 

The electrostatic crystal field theory and the molecular orbital theory were combined into a more complete theory called ligand field theory, described qualitatively by Griffith and Orgel. Many of the details presented here come from their work. 

Bethe, H. A. Ann. Physic. 3, 133 (1929) Van Vleck, J. H. J. Chem. Phys. 3, 807 (1935) Griffith, J. S. The Theory of Transition Metal Ions, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1961 Ballhausen, C. J. Ligand Field Theory, McGraw-Hill, New York 1962... 

An excellent introduction is given in Ligand Field Theory by J. S. Griffiths and L. E. Orgel, Quarterly Rev., Chem. Soc. London) (1958) 11, 381. This particular article was perhaps more responsible than any other for the introduction of the ideas of crystal and ligand field theories into inorganic chemistry. 

An outline of the calculational procedures related to the application of Eq. (1) may be found in the books by Griffith [67] and Low [14]. Concerning the theory of the free ion, the text by Condon and Shortley [63] should be consulted. A basic introduction into the theory of the ligand field and spin-orbit coupling is contained in the treatment by Ballhausen [57]. 

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