The magnitude of crystal field stabilization energy (CFSE) in tetrahedral complexes is considerably less than in the octahedral field beause

Options

A. There are only four ligands instead of six so the ligand field is only `2//3` the size hence the `Delta_(t)` is only `2//3` the size
B. The direction of the orbitals does not coincide with the direction of the ligands. This reduces the crystal field stabilization energy `Delta_(t)` by further `2//3` .
C. Both points (1) and (2) are correct
D. Both points (1) and (2) are wrong

Answer

C

Explanation

In tetrahedral cooordination entity formation, the d - orbitals splitting is smaller as compared to the octahedral field splitting because there arer only four ligands instead of six and the apprach of ligands is in between the axes instead of along the axes.