Jahn-Teller effects in solid-state co-ordination chemistry

Jahn-Teller-active systems continue to yield unforeseen effects in the solid state. The use of conceptually simple potential energy surfaces, an approach developed by several investigators in recent decades, facilitates the understanding of diverse phenomena driven by Jahn-Teller activity. The background of this approach and its recent use in understanding dynamic Jahn-Teller systems, solid solutions of Jahn-Teller compounds in host lattices, and molecular shape switching in Jahn-Teller complexes are presented.