Although isotropic EPR spectra have often been states and consequent Jahn-Teller distortions, such reported for Cr(I) complexes with degenerate ground spectra have not been reported for cis-dicarbonyl or fac-tricarbonyl complexes of Cr(I). The most likely explanation is that ground states are subject to an approximate accidental degeneracy, probably modulated by a ligand bending vibrational mode, thus providing an efficient spin-lattice relaxation pathway. [GRAPHICS]