Dielectric Theory of Cohesive Energies of Tetrahedrally Coordinated Crystals

Abstract

Pauling's resonating-bond theory is reformulated in terms of an itinerant dielectric model. In extreme cases discrepancies of more than 200 kcal/mole between the observed cohesive energy and Pauling's value are reduced to 1 kcal/mole. The results completely justify the concept of resonating covalent and ionic contributions to cohesive energies of tetrahedrally coordinated crystals.