If a likely structure of a nonlinear molecule or ion would have degenerate orbitals (i.e. two molecular orbitals with the same energy levels) the actual structure of the molecule or ion is distorted so as to split the energy levels (‘raise’ the degeneracy). The effect is observed in inorganic complexes. For example, the ion [Cu(H2O)6]2+ is octahedral and the six ligands might be expected to occupy equidistant positions at the corners of a regular octahedron. In fact, the octahedron is distorted, with four ligands in a square and two opposite ligands further away. If the ‘original’ structure has a centre of symmetry, the distorted structure must also have a centre of symmetry. The effect was predicted theoretically by Hermann Arthur Jahn (1907–79) and Edward Teller (1908–2003) in 1937. Closely related to the Jahn–Teller effect is the Renner effect, sometimes called the Renner–Herzberg–Teller effect. The Jahn–Teller effect can also have a significant effect on the structure of certain crystals.