Can d-orbitals participate in bonding?
Yes it works, according to result they have with organometallic chemistry. You may not know $e_g$ and $t_{2g}$ orbitals. Have a look at this diagram of orbitals : 

Its diagram for an octaedric complex, where M is the metal. Positions of $e_g$ and $t_{2g}$ depends of what L is.