Molecular orbital theory describes how atomic orbitals of metal ions and ligand group orbitals interact to form molecular orbitals. For interaction to occur, the atomic orbitals must have similar energies, symmetry, and overlap appreciably. Molecular orbitals are formed through sigma and pi bonding. Sigma bonding results from the combination of metal orbitals along the bonding axis with ligand group orbitals of the same symmetry. Pi bonding occurs through overlap of metal ion t2g orbitals with ligand pi orbitals. The type of pi bonding that results depends on whether the ligand pi orbitals are filled or empty.