Heat of Sublimation of Carbon

Abstract

WHILE agreeing with our emphasis of the significance of the ⁵S state of carbon for the calculation of bond energies in its compounds, Valatin, from an analysis of the CO spectrum proposed by Schmid and Gerö, implies alternative numerical values to the quantities which we have termed L₁ and L₂¹, and for which we have proposed the values 125 and ˜ 190 kcal./gm.-atom respectively. The scheme quoted by Valatin would mean in effect that L₁ = ˜ 73 kcal. and L₂ = 170 kcal., values which are in serious conflict with other relevant data. It should be emphasized that, since more than one interpretation may be devised for the CO spectrum, spectroscopic arguments alone lead to no conclusive value for D (CO) and hence L₁. Only a consideration of the spectroscopic data with all the evidence available from other sources will allow a final selection to be made.