The Ionization and Dissociation Energies of the Hydrides and Fluorides of the Elements

Abstract Plots of the bond dissociation energies of the hydrides and fluorides are presented together with those for the corresponding isoelectronic ions derived from ionization potential data. These show the dependence of the energies on the closed shell configurations appropriate to the shape of the radical or ion. The curves are also used to derive certain proton affinities and to explain the feasibility of ion‐molecule reactions. All the processes to be considered in the present article refer to the monomeric species and the bond dissociation energies are with reference to the lowest states of the atoms, radicals or ions. Exceptions to the latter statement occur for NH, HF and Ne+F where the removal of a pπ electron does not lead to the lowest state of the ion.