Teaching the jahn-teller theorem : A simple exercise that illustrates how the magnitude of distortion depends on the number of electrons and their occupation of the degenerate energy level

• Teaching the Jahn-Teller theorem offers several challenges. For many students, the first encounter comes in coordination chemistry, which can be difficult due to the already complicated nature of transition-metal complexes. Moreover, a deep understanding of the Jahn-Teller theorem requires that one is well acquainted with quantum mechanics and group theory. A comparatively simple way to illustrate the anatomy of the Jahn-Teller effect is presented here. Chemistry teachers are reminded of a sometimes forgotten aspect, namely, that the orbital degeneracy itself is not a sufficient criterion for the Jahn-Teller effect to appear, it is necessary that the occupation of the degenerate energy level is asymmetric. The article can serve as an introduction to the Jahn-Teller theorem, either as a lecture or as a computational exercise.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Computational Chemistry

Graduate Education/Research

Molecular Properties/Structure

Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Quantum Chemistry

Textbooks/Reference Books

Theoretical Chemistry

Upper-Division Undergraduate

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