Jahn-Teller distortion refers to the geometric distortion of non-linear molecular systems that occurs due to the degeneracy of electronic states, typically seen in transition metal complexes. This distortion leads to a lowering of the overall energy of the system, making it more stable, and is often observed in octahedral and tetrahedral complexes where certain electron configurations are present. By influencing the arrangement of ligands around the central metal ion, Jahn-Teller distortion plays a significant role in understanding the electronic structure and properties of coordination compounds.
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