Abstract Valence has a rich history in chemistry, as a bonding concept, in terms of quantitative context, and as a true quantity. In the latter, a survey preceding this project revealed differing perceptions of valence values and helped formulate candidate definitions. This IUPAC task group evaluated nine quantities behind eight alternative definitions on 39 chemical entities of 48 bonding formulas, each giving a set of meaningful values with mutual relationships. Given the reflection principle of IUPAC normative work, 15 comparative examples with high variation of these alternative valences for an element were selected, and chemistry articles in English searched for valence-termed quantities of the compared compounds to imply the definition behind the stated valence value, the frequency of such use, and the chemistry field. Summarized preferences for the alternative definitions show two main areas of use. Organic and physical chemists count valence as a number of two-electron bonds at the atom. Inorganic chemists working with semi-metallic and metallic elements use n -valent as an adjective for oxidation state. The diverse yet infrequent use cannot be covered by a single definition of the valence quantity. Clarity in articles that use valence as a quantity is essential and achievable by stating the intended context.

Pavel Karen

Lidia Armelao

Ian S. Butler

Vladislav Tomišić

Makoto Yamashita

Pure and Applied Chemistry

PURE AND APPLIED CHEMISTRY 是 IUPAC 的官方月刊，负责出版由联盟赞助和承担的国际科学活动和项目产生的作品。政策是在纯化学和应用化学各个方面的前沿发表具有高度话题性和可信度的作品，随之而来的目标是促进该期刊被广泛接受，作为学术和机构图书馆中权威和不可或缺的藏品。

Pure and Applied Chemistry is the official monthly journal of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), responsible for publishing works resulting from international scientific activities and projects sponsored and undertaken by the union. The journal's policy is to publish highly topical and credible works at the forefront of pure and applied chemistry, with the goal of promoting the journal's wide acceptance as an authoritative and indispensable collection in academic and institutional libraries.

《Pure and Applied Chemistry》是国际纯粹与应用化学联合会（IUPAC）的官方月刊，负责出版由联盟赞助和承担的国际科学活动和项目所产生的研究成果。期刊的政策是发表在纯化学和应用化学各个领域具有高度话题性和可信度的作品，旨在促进该期刊被广泛接受，成为学术界和机构图书馆中权威且不可或缺的藏品。

Category	Quartile
化学	4
化学, 化学综合	4

Toward a definition of valence as a quantity (IUPAC Technical Report)

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Journal Info

Category	Quartile
CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY	3