Abstract
A brief account is given concerning the theoretical framework of the molecular orbital treatment of crystal field theory. Indirect and direct experimental evidences of electron delocalization are summarized. A historical survey is given of the theoretical treatment of cubic crystal field splitting. Finally, a molecular orbital treatment of the cubic field splitting is presented, emphasizing the importance of π‐electron bonding and itinerancy of electrons between a metal ion and ligands.

This publication has 29 references indexed in Scilit: