kinetics help plz?

Question

explain using appropraite diagrams, how crystal field theory can explain why the 5 d orbitals in an octahedral complex are non degenerate?

I dont think it is the d orbital splitting, because they show the triple degenerate and doubly degenrate levels... plz help

Answer 1

Draw out the five d orbitals. Draw out the ligated octahedral complex. Let one d orbital be aligned with the four planar ligands. Notice that the overlap of the d orbitals on the ligands differs, depending on the orbital. Since two have the same ligand overlap, then these two have the same energy. The other three also have similar overlap, and so have the same energy, so you have two degenerate sets . . .