Molecular orbital calculations on transition metal complexes. Part IX

Potential energy curves for the ground and some low energy excited states of a number of complexes with a 3d ⁵ electronic configuration have been computed from INDO type SCF MO calculations. The results agree extremely well with the known ground states of the complex ions MnF ₆ ^4? , FeF ₆ ^3? , CoF ₆ ^2? , and Fe(CN) ₆ ^3? , in particular the crossover from high to low spin being obtained for changes in both central metal ion oxidation state and ligand. The calculated contraction in metal ligand distance on passing from the high spin to the low spin state is ～ 0.05 Å for each complex in very good agreement with the value indicated by pressure dependent magnetic measurements. Computed electronic transition energies involving bothd-d type and charge-transfer excitations compare favourably with observed spectroscopic values.