Valence of the Elemental Transition Metals

Abstract

We propose that the recently introduced bonding valence is the appropriate valence for describing the gross energetics of the elemental transition metals. In support of this proposal, we show that the trends in the experimental cohesive energies, surface energies and melting points of the noble and transition metals are simple linear functions of the bonding valence. The trends in the cohesive energies of the elemental transition metals are given by 2·45Z_B – 3·47 eV, where Z_B is the bonding valence.