Question

Which of the following pairs of $d$-orbitals will have electron density along the axis?

• A. $d_{z^2},d_{xz}$
• B. $d_{xz},d_{yz}$
• C. $d_{z^2},d_{x^2-y^2}$
• D. $d_{xy},d_{x^2-y^2}$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $d_{z^2},d_{x^2-y^2}$

$d_{x^2–y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$ orbitals have electron density along the axis while $d_{xy},d_{yz}$ and $d_{xz}$ orbitals have electron density in between the axis.