Crystal Field Theory (CFT)
Crystal Field Theory (CFT) As originally developed, crystal field theory was used to describe the electronic structure of metal ions in crystals, where they are surrounded by oxide ions or other anions that create an electrostatic field with symmetry dependent on the crystal structure. The energies of the d orbitals of the metal ions are split by the electrostatic field, and approximate values for these energies can be calculated. CFT was developed in 1930 Shortly afterward, it was recognized that the same arrangement of charged or neutral electron pair donor species around a metal ion existed in crystals and coordination complexes. In order to understand clearly the interactions that are responsible for crystal or ligand field effects in transition metal complexes, it is necessary to know the geometrical relationships of the d orbitals. There are five wave functions that can be written for orbitals having the typical four-lobed form. Crystal Field Effects in Octahedr...