In order to find the d-orbital splitting in a square planar complex, it is easier to start with an octahedral compound where splitting patterns are known and then imagine slowly moving two trans ligands away from the metal. This would at first distort the molecule which is known as tetragonally distorted octahedron. Moving the ligands further to such an extent I that the interaction between the metal ion and the ligands is practically nil would result in a square planar compound. This situation is best described its square planar complex because the other two ligands are so far off that they can be considered to be unattached to the metal ion and are thus unable to form a true chemical bond.