Bond dissociation energy of astrophysically important molecules

The bond dissociation energies for astrophysically important diatomic molec ules have been estimated based on the derived relation D-AB = (D) over bar(AB) + 32.058 Delta chi, where (D) over bar(AB) = (D-AA . D-BB)(1/2), Delta chi represents Pauling e lectronegativity difference (chi(A) - chi(B)) Based on the formula suggeste d by Reddy et al, bond energies are estimated. These values are in reasonab ly good agreement with the available literature values. The bond energies e stimated with the present relation give an error of 12.6%. The correspondin g error associated with Pauling's equation is 37.2%. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.