Abstract
The newly measured ionization potential of atomic astatine is discussed and compared with that of the recently determined value for polonium and for the other atomic halogens. Regularities in these atomic values are discussed and applied to the understanding of the energetics of diatomic halogens. Some surprises remain.
Highlights
Let us talk of species with chemical simplicity
The ionization potentials of the homonuclear diatomics formed by the halogens (F2, Cl2, Br2, I2, At2) increase as we proceed up the periodic table in the order: At2 (8.3 eV, an early estimate) [17] < I2 (9.30 eV) [18] < Br2 (10.52 eV) [19] < Cl2 (11.48 eV) [19] < F2 (15.70 eV) [20]
The electron a nity of the dihalogens decreases in the order F2 > Cl2 ≈ Br2 ≈ I2. This seems reasonable until it is remembered that the electron a nities of the atomic halogens follow the order F (3.40 eV) < Cl (3.61 eV) > Br (3.36 eV) > I
Summary
Let us talk of species with chemical simplicity. Atoms are simpler than molecules. The ionization potential of atomic astatine is discussed and compared with that of polonium and the other halogens. Among the uniquely de ned and conceptually simplest properties of any element is its ionization potential (IP), the least amount of energy to remove one electron from the gaseous atomic species.
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