Chemistry Q62 – JEE-MAIN 2026

Home Chemistry Coordination CompoundsQuestion #338

Which of the following are true about the energy of the given d-orbitals of a tetrahedral complex? A.

d_{x y} = d_{y z} > d_{z^{2}}

d_{x y} = d_{y z} > d_{z^{2}}

d_{x^{2} - y^{2}} > d_{z^{2}} > d_{x z}

d_{x^{2} - y^{2}} = d_{z^{2}} < d_{x z}

Clue 1 of 3: Crystal Field Theory

Recall the splitting pattern of d-orbitals in a tetrahedral crystal field.

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Ninja Strategy•Recall Degeneracy

Knowing that $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}}$ and $d_{z^{2}}$ are degenerate in a tetrahedral field immediately eliminates any option that suggests they have different energies, such as option C.

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Step 1: Understand d-orbital splitting in tetrahedral complexes✦ Active

In a tetrahedral crystal field, the five d-orbitals split into two sets: the lower energy $e$ set and the higher energy $t_{2}$ set. The $e$ set comprises the $d_{z^{2}}$ and $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}}$ orbitals, which are degenerate. The $t_{2}$ set comprises the $d_{x y}$ , $d_{y z}$ , and $d_{x z}$ orbitals, which are also degenerate. Therefore, the energy order is $E (d_{x y}) = E (d_{y z}) = E (d_{x z}) > E (d_{z^{2}}) = E (d_{x^{2} - y^{2}})$ . We can summarize this as $t_{2} > e$ .

Step 2: Evaluate each statement○ Expand

Let's evaluate each given statement based on the established energy order:

A. $d_{x y} = d_{y z} > d_{z^{2}}$ : This statement is TRUE because $d_{x y}$ and $d_{y z}$ are both $t_{2}$ orbitals (degenerate), and $t_{2}$ orbitals are higher in energy than $d_{z^{2}}$ (an $e$ orbital).

B. $d_{x y} = d_{y z} > d_{z^{2}}$ : This statement is identical to A, and thus is also TRUE.

C. $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}} > d_{z^{2}} > d_{x z}$ : This statement is FALSE. $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}}$ and $d_{z^{2}}$ are degenerate ( $e$ orbitals), so $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}} = d_{z^{2}}$ . Also, $d_{z^{2}}$ (an $e$ orbital) is lower in energy than $d_{x z}$ (a $t_{2}$ orbital), so $d_{z^{2}} < d_{x z}$ .

D. $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}} = d_{z^{2}} < d_{x z}$ : This statement is TRUE. $d_{x^{2} - y^{2}}$ and $d_{z^{2}}$ are degenerate ( $e$ orbitals), and $e$ orbitals are lower in energy than $d_{x z}$ (a $t_{2}$ orbital).

💡 Teacher's Secret Hint

Pay close attention to the degeneracy within the $e$ and $t_{2}$ sets, and the relative energy order between the sets.

Step 3: Identify the correct combination○ Expand

From the evaluation, statements A, B, and D are true. Therefore, the option that includes A, B, and D is the correct answer.

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Chemistry Question 62 – JEE-MAIN 2026

Clue 1 of 3: Crystal Field Theory

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