THE WIENER INDEX - DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATIONS

The definitions and methods of computing the Wiener index are reviewed . It is pointed out that the Wiener index is a useful topological inde x in the structure-property relationship because it is a measure of th e compactness of a molecule in terms of its structural chracteristics, such as branching and cyclicity. A comparative study between the Wien er index and several of the commonly used topological indices in the s tructure-boiling point relationship revealed that the Wiener index is, in this case, rather inferior to most indices, a result that has been observed by other authors as well. New developments, such as an exten sion of the Wiener index to its three-dimensional version are also men tioned.