metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition

An electronic transition of a metal complex that corresponds to excitation populating an electronic state in which considerable electron transfer from the metal to a ligand has occurred.
See also: ligand to metal charge transfer transition
Source:
PAC, 1996, 68, 2223 (Glossary of terms used in photochemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1996)) on page 2254