Question

Give the symmetry symbol for dx2-y2and dz2orbitals

Answer 1

Explanation:

In Octahedral complexes, for dx2-y2 and dz2 orbitals, eg is written and for dxy, dxz, and dyz, t2g symbol is written. However, it has been found in some books that in case of Tetrahedral complexes also same notations have been written. It should not be there. For dx2-y2 and dz2 orbitals, it should be e and for dxy, dxz, and dyz, it should be t2 only.

This is due to the fact that g notation is written for the geometries which have centre of symmetry such as Octahedral. Tetrahedral doesn’t have centre of symmetry. Therefore, t2 and e notations should only be written.