The degree of hybridization in paramagnetic complexes

It is argued that in a series of complexes formed by ions of the same type and having the same geometry and ligand the degree of hybridization $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{s}}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{\sigma }}$ tends to decrease when covalency increases. This rule which discards any sp² explanation for the ligand hybridization has been well verified through series of d⁹ and s¹ complexes. The validity of such a rule, also useful for understanding the behaviour of $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{s}}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{gs}}$ in some D_2h systems, outlines that ligand core polarization effects are negligible in these cases.