Metal d orbitals in a tetrahedral crystal field

This series of diagrams illustrate the directionality of the metal d orbitals with respect to ligand σ orbitals, represented as black spheres.

It should be noted the orbitals with t₂ symmetry point more directly at ligand σ orbitals than the orbitals with e symmetry.

d Orbitals in Octahedral Crystal Field

Orbital-orbital overlap and SALC Homepage