high spin vs low spin

[Bethel Tesfamicael]

what is the difference between high spin and low spin configurations?

[Evangelina_0ca]

Hello,

The difference between a high spin configuration vs. low spin configuration is the following:

In a high spin configuration, the electrons are placed in the available orbitals which results in unpaired electrons and maximizes the total spin of the electrons. These are more likely to happen in a complexes with weak-field ligand. Now, low spin configuration, electrons are paired up with the available orbitals which minimizes the number of unpaired electrons and leads to a lower total spin for the electrons. These happen mostly in strong-field ligands! Hope this helps!