A New Method of Determining Electronegativity from Other Atomic Properties

Abstract

The relation, $x=0.31\left(\frac{n+1}{r}\right)+0.50,$ where $x$ represents the electronegativity of an atom according to Pauling's revised scale, $n$ the number of electrons in its incompletely filled (valence) shells, and $r$ its single bond covalent radius measured in Angstroms, has been found valid for all elements having $x$ values available for comparison, except for Ag, Au, and Cu. This equation is used to extend the electronegativity scale to include a total of fifty-two elements. A chart is constructed to demonstrate the systematic relation of the values to the periodic table. Beginning with the definition of the electronegativity of a neutral atom in a stable molecule as the potential at a distance $r$ (covalent radius) from its nucleus which is caused by the nuclear charge effective at that distance, a simple theoretical justification is offered for the existence of a linear relation between $x$ and $\frac{(n+1)}{r}$. This relation, like Mulliken's, provides an "absolute" scale of electronegativity values.