Why Are Octahedral Complexes the Most Common in Crystal Field Theory?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the prevalence of octahedral complexes in Crystal Field Theory (CFT) and the reasons behind their commonality. Participants explore concepts related to energy differences, orbital splitting, and the arrangement of ligands around a central metal ion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about why octahedral complexes are the most common, questioning the role of six ligands and the implications of electron pairing.
  • Another participant suggests that octahedral complexes are not necessarily the most common but are simply easier to discuss within CFT, leading to their dominance in educational contexts.
  • A different participant acknowledges the commonality of octahedral complexes but argues that CFT does not adequately explain their formation, as it overlooks the bonding interactions between the central metal and the ligands, which is a focus of ligand field theory.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether octahedral complexes are the most common. There are competing views regarding their prevalence and the adequacy of CFT in explaining their formation.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the lack of consideration for bonding interactions in CFT and the dependence on pedagogical approaches that may favor octahedral complexes for simplification.

MathewsMD
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I have recently been learning CTF and energy differences and orbital splitting is starting to make sense to me a bit more. I have not seen any definitive answers yet so any help would be great. In CTF, octahedral complexes are most common and there are 5 d orbitals that participate. Whether it is a high energy or low energy configuration, I don't quite understand how there are 6 attracted (bonded?) ligands to the central metal. There is electron pairing occurring and I am just confused why an octahedral arrangement is the most common in this case. Why not an arrangement with less ligands since that would result in less repulsion?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!
 
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any help please?
 
It is not that octahedral complexes are most common, but that these are easierst to discuss within CFT and thus dominate pedagogic introductions on CFT.
 
Ok, octahedral complexes are in deed very common. However, CFT does not explain why and when octahedral complexes are formed as it does not consider the bonding between the central metal and the ligands.
This is a theme of ligand field theory.
 

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