Increasing order of crystal field splitting power of following ligands will be :
(A) CN−
(B) Cl−
(C) F−
(D) H2O
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (B) < (C) < (D) < (A)
Ligands split the d orbitals of a metal ion by different amounts. Arranged in order of increasing field strength (crystal field splitting), they form the spectrochemical series.
In the series, (B) \( \ce{Cl-} \) comes first, (C) \( \ce{F-} \) second, (D) \( \ce{H2O} \) third and (A) \( \ce{CN-} \) last.
Shortcut: \( \ce{CN-} \) (A) is a strong field ligand and must come last; only Option (4) ends with (A).
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Crystal Field Theory – …
