In transition metal complexes, the central metal ion is surrounded by ligands. According to Crystal field Theory, the interaction between the ligands and the metal ion, cause an increase in the energy of the d-orbitals, increasing the energy of some of the d-orbital more than others. Thus, for the metal ion in these complexes the five d-orbitals are not degenerate, a splitting of the energy levels is observed. This in turn is responsible for the absorption spectrum of various complexes in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Which of the following has the least effect on the magnitude of this energy splitting? A) Molecular Geometry of the compound
B) The oxidation state of the metal ion
C) Nature of the ligands surrounding the metal ion
D) Nature of the metal atom
E) Temperature
F) The coordination number of the metal