Chapter 21, Problem 11PE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The energy level diagrams of the octahedral cobalt $\left(\text{III}\right)$ complexe for high-spin and low-spin, including the electrons are to be drawn. The number of unpaired electrons on each of the complexes is to be determined and the possibility of the complexes to be a diamagnetic or not is to be explained.

Concept Information:

Crystal field theory explains the bonding of complex ions.

Ligands are the molecules or ions that are bonded with a coordinate covalent bond to a metal ion.

Crystal Field Splitting or $\Delta$ is the energy difference between the two sets of $d$ orbitals, that is, between the higher energy level of $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$ orbitals and the lower energy level of $d_{xy}$, $d_{xz}$, and $d_{yz}$ orbitals in an octahedral complex.