Crystal Field Theory

Description: This quiz is designed to test your understanding of Crystal Field Theory, a fundamental concept in coordination chemistry.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: crystal field theory coordination chemistry ligand field theory
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What is the primary assumption of Crystal Field Theory?

  1. Electrons in metal ions are arranged in a spherical distribution.

  2. Ligands exert a strong electrostatic field on metal ions.

  3. Metal-ligand interactions are purely covalent in nature.

  4. The energy levels of metal ions are independent of the surrounding ligands.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Crystal Field Theory assumes that the electrostatic interactions between metal ions and ligands are the dominant factor in determining the electronic structure and properties of coordination complexes.

Which of the following factors influences the strength of the crystal field?

  1. The charge of the metal ion.

  2. The nature of the ligands.

  3. The geometry of the coordination complex.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The strength of the crystal field is influenced by the charge of the metal ion, the nature of the ligands (their field strength), and the geometry of the coordination complex.

What is the term used to describe the splitting of metal ion d-orbitals in an octahedral crystal field?

  1. Octahedral splitting.

  2. Tetrahedral splitting.

  3. Square planar splitting.

  4. Trigonal bipyramidal splitting.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In an octahedral crystal field, the d-orbitals of the metal ion split into two sets: the t2g orbitals (dxy, dyz, dxz) and the eg orbitals (dz2, dx2-y2).

Which of the following complexes exhibits the strongest crystal field splitting?

  1. [Co(NH3)6]3+

  2. [Ni(CN)4]2-

  3. [Fe(H2O)6]3+

  4. [Cr(en)3]3+


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The strength of the crystal field splitting increases with the field strength of the ligands. Cyanide (CN-) is a strong field ligand, therefore [Ni(CN)4]2- exhibits the strongest crystal field splitting among the given complexes.

What is the Jahn-Teller effect?

  1. The distortion of a coordination complex from its ideal geometry to lower its energy.

  2. The splitting of metal ion d-orbitals in a tetrahedral crystal field.

  3. The pairing of electrons in metal ion d-orbitals.

  4. The change in the color of a coordination complex upon complexation.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Jahn-Teller effect occurs when a coordination complex with a high-spin configuration undergoes a distortion from its ideal geometry to lower its energy. This distortion results in a splitting of the degenerate d-orbitals and a lowering of the overall energy of the complex.

Which of the following complexes is most likely to exhibit the Jahn-Teller effect?

  1. [Co(NH3)6]3+

  2. [Ni(CN)4]2-

  3. [Fe(H2O)6]3+

  4. [Cr(en)3]3+


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The Jahn-Teller effect is most likely to occur in complexes with high-spin configurations and degenerate d-orbitals. [Cu(NH3)4]2+ has a high-spin d9 configuration and a tetragonal geometry, making it susceptible to the Jahn-Teller effect.

What is the relationship between the crystal field splitting energy (Δ) and the wavelength of light absorbed by a coordination complex?

  1. Δ is directly proportional to the wavelength of light absorbed.

  2. Δ is inversely proportional to the wavelength of light absorbed.

  3. Δ is independent of the wavelength of light absorbed.

  4. The relationship between Δ and the wavelength of light absorbed depends on the specific complex.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The crystal field splitting energy (Δ) is inversely proportional to the wavelength of light absorbed by a coordination complex. This relationship is expressed by the equation: Δ = hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength of light absorbed.

Which of the following complexes is likely to absorb light in the visible region of the spectrum?

  1. [Co(NH3)6]3+

  2. [Ni(CN)4]2-

  3. [Fe(H2O)6]3+

  4. [Cr(en)3]3+


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Complexes that absorb light in the visible region of the spectrum typically have a small crystal field splitting energy (Δ). [Co(NH3)6]3+ has a low Δ value and is therefore likely to absorb light in the visible region.

What is the term used to describe the pairing of electrons in metal ion d-orbitals?

  1. Crystal field splitting.

  2. Jahn-Teller effect.

  3. Ligand field stabilization energy.

  4. High-spin and low-spin complexes.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

High-spin and low-spin complexes refer to the different electronic configurations that metal ions can adopt in coordination complexes. High-spin complexes have all the d-orbitals singly occupied, while low-spin complexes have some of the d-orbitals paired.

Which of the following factors favors the formation of low-spin complexes?

  1. Strong field ligands.

  2. Weak field ligands.

  3. High oxidation states of the metal ion.

  4. Low oxidation states of the metal ion.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Strong field ligands promote the pairing of electrons in metal ion d-orbitals, leading to the formation of low-spin complexes. This is because strong field ligands cause a large crystal field splitting energy (Δ), which makes it energetically favorable for electrons to pair up.

What is the term used to describe the energy difference between the high-spin and low-spin states of a coordination complex?

  1. Crystal field splitting energy.

  2. Jahn-Teller effect.

  3. Ligand field stabilization energy.

  4. High-spin and low-spin complexes.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Ligand field stabilization energy (LFSE) is the energy difference between the high-spin and low-spin states of a coordination complex. LFSE arises from the pairing of electrons in metal ion d-orbitals, which is favored by strong field ligands.

Which of the following complexes is likely to have the largest ligand field stabilization energy?

  1. [Co(NH3)6]3+

  2. [Ni(CN)4]2-

  3. [Fe(H2O)6]3+

  4. [Cr(en)3]3+


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Ligand field stabilization energy (LFSE) is influenced by the strength of the crystal field. [Ni(CN)4]2- has a strong crystal field due to the strong field cyanide ligands, resulting in a large LFSE.

What is the term used to describe the change in the color of a coordination complex upon complexation?

  1. Crystal field splitting.

  2. Jahn-Teller effect.

  3. Ligand field stabilization energy.

  4. Charge transfer.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Charge transfer refers to the transfer of electrons between metal ions and ligands, resulting in a change in the color of the coordination complex. This phenomenon is observed in complexes where the metal ion and ligands have different electronegativities.

Which of the following complexes is likely to exhibit charge transfer?

  1. [Co(NH3)6]3+

  2. [Ni(CN)4]2-

  3. [Fe(H2O)6]3+

  4. [Cr(en)3]3+


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Charge transfer is more likely to occur in complexes where the metal ion and ligands have different electronegativities. [Fe(H2O)6]3+ has a high electronegative metal ion (Fe3+) and low electronegative ligands (H2O), making it susceptible to charge transfer.

What is the term used to describe the interaction between metal ions and ligands in a coordination complex?

  1. Crystal field splitting.

  2. Jahn-Teller effect.

  3. Ligand field stabilization energy.

  4. Metal-ligand bonding.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Metal-ligand bonding refers to the interactions between metal ions and ligands in a coordination complex. These interactions can be classified into various types, such as ionic bonding, covalent bonding, and coordinate bonding.

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