Ligand-to-metal charge transfer[edit]
LMCT complexes arise from transfer of electrons from MO with ligand-like character to those with metal-like character. This type of transfer is predominant if complexes have ligands with relatively high-energy lone pairs (example S or Se) or if the metal has low-lying empty orbitals. Many such complexes have metals in high oxidation states (even d0). These conditions imply that the acceptor level is available and low in energy.