Octahedral transition metal ions of the 4th period can display both high spin and low spin structures, while the ions of the 5th and 6th periods only show low spin structures. Furthermore, tetrahedral complexes are always high spin. In terms of ?o, ?t, and P (the spin pairing energy), explain the following
a). Why are 5th and 6th period transition metal complexes always low spin?
b). Why are tetrahedral complexes always high spin, but octahedral complexes can be high spin or low spin?