I. A possible new definition of electronegativity

Abstract

It is proposed th at the electronegativity of an atom or group A should be defined as the stretching force constant of the bond A — H , allowance being made in certain cases for repulsion between bond and lone pair electrons. The reasons for this proposal are set out and the resulting scale of electronegativities compared with the earlier scales of Mulliken and Pauling. Various applications, advantages and possible difficulties of the proposal are pointed out.