Jahn-teller theorem and the CH_4 molecule

[wdlang]

is there any contradiction between the two?

 

[Ygggdrasil]

IIRC, Jahn-Teller distortion applies only to complexes formed from d-orbitals, not the s- and p-orbitals used to form the bonds in methane.

 

[kanato]

Jahn-Teller distortion happens in any system where the ground state is degenerate and that degeneracy can be broken by lowering the symmetry. I'm not so familiar with CH_4, but from what I remember from general chemistry, I don't see that the ground state would be degenerate.