For identical ligands and metal oxidation state, the relative magnitudes of crystal field splitting — Coordination Compounds Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Square planar has the most extreme splitting due to 4 ligands heavily repelling the $d_{x^2-y^2}$ orbital ($\Delta_{sp} \approx 1.3 \Delta_o$). Octahedral is intermediate ($\Delta_o$). Tetrahedral is weak ($\Delta_t \approx 0.45 \Delta_o$).