d-orbital self split or proton split d-orbitals?

[adf89812]

TL;DR Summary

why don't d-orbitals split themselves, why does it take a ligand? why can't proton split d-orbital?

why don't d-orbitals split themselves because of themselves without the presence of ligands? Electrons are indistinguishable. Why wouldn't it be more correct that protons from a ligand split the d-orbitals rather than the lone-pairs cause d-orbital splitting energy?

 

[PeterDonis]

why don't d-orbitals split themselves because of themselves without the presence of ligands? Electrons are indistinguishable. Why wouldn't it be more correct that protons from a ligand split the d-orbitals rather than the lone-pairs cause d-orbital splitting energy?

Do you have a reference for where you are getting all this from?