Question

What is spectrochemical series? Explain the difference between a weak field ligand and a strong field ligand.

Answer 1

A spectrochemical series is the arrangement of common ligands in the increasing order of their crystal-field splitting energy (CFSE) values. The ligands present on the R.H.S of the series are strong field ligands while that on the L.H.S are weak field ligands. Also, strong field ligands cause higher splitting in the d orbitals than weak field ligands.

I− < Br⁻ < S²⁻ < SCN⁻ < Cl⁻< N₃ < F⁻ < OH⁻ < C₂O₄²⁻ ∼ H₂O < NCS⁻ ∼ H⁻ < CN⁻ < NH₃ < en ∼ SO₃²⁻ < NO₂⁻ < phen < CO