The first half of the title of this book may delude the uninitiated reader. The term '"Jahn-Teller effect," taken literally, refers to a special effect inherent in particular molecular systems. Actually, this term implies a new approach to the general problem of correlations between the structure and properties of any molecular polyatomic system, including solids. Just such a new approach, or concept (in some sense, a new outlook or even a new way of thinking), which leads not to one special effect but to a series of different effects and laws, is embodied in the many ( ~ 4000) studies devoted to the investigation and application of the Jahn-Teller effect. The term "vibronic interactions" seems to be most appropriate to the new concept, and this explains the origin of the second half of the title. The primary objective of this book is to present a systematic develop ment of the concept of vibronic interactions and its applications, and to illustrate its possibilities and significance in modern chemistry. In the first three chapters (covering about one-third of the book) the theoretical background of the vibronic concept and Jahn-Teller effect is given. The basic ideas are illustrated fully, although a comprehensive presentation of the theory with all related mathematical deductions is beyond the scope of this book. In the last three chapters the applications of theory to spectro scopy, stereochemistry and crystal chemistry, reactivity, and catalysis, are illustrated by a series of effects and laws.

The first half of the title of this book may delude the uninitiated reader. The term '"Jahn-Teller effect," taken literally, refers to a special effect inherent in particular molecular systems. Actually, this term implies a new approach to the general problem of correlations between the structure and properties of any molecular polyatomic system, including solids. Just such a new approach, or concept (in some sense, a new outlook or even a new way of thinking), which leads not to one special effect but to a series of different effects and laws, is embodied in the many ( ~ 4000) studies devoted to the investigation and application of the Jahn-Teller effect. The term "vibronic interactions" seems to be most appropriate to the new concept, and this explains the origin of the second half of the title. The primary objective of this book is to present a systematic develop ment of the concept of vibronic interactions and its applications, and to illustrate its possibilities and significance in modern chemistry. In the first three chapters (covering about one-third of the book) the theoretical background of the vibronic concept and Jahn-Teller effect is given. The basic ideas are illustrated fully, although a comprehensive presentation of the theory with all related mathematical deductions is beyond the scope of this book. In the last three chapters the applications of theory to spectro scopy, stereochemistry and crystal chemistry, reactivity, and catalysis, are illustrated by a series of effects and laws.

The Jahn-Teller effect continues to be a paradigm for structural instabilities and molecular dynamical processes. This volume provides a survey of the current Jahn-Teller interactions at the interface of quantum chemistry and condensed matter physics.

This volume reports the main lectures and seminars given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Vibronic Processes in Inorganic Chemistry held at Riva del Sole, Tuscany, Italy between 7th and 18th September 1988. In addition to the about 40 hours of lectures repres ented by this volume, a further fifteen lectures on current research topics were given by the other participants. Many factors contributed to the decision to hold this ASI but the final trigger was given at a meeeting in Padova when Marco Bettinelli, Lorenzo Disipio and Gianluigi Ingletto asked me to recommend a text where the diverse conceptual, spectroscopic and structural consequences of the impossibility of treating the motions of the electrons and nuclei independantly in inorganic compounds were presented. There seemed to be no suitable comprehensive text where the relationship between the relatively simple theoretical ideas and the huge range of their application in inorganic chemistry and physics was developed. The Institute and this text are a contribution to filling this gap. Seventy-nine participants from fifteen countries attended the Institute. Topics raised in the lectures and from the participants own research frequently led to discussions which went on long into the night.