Computational modeling reveals unified geometric scaling laws governing bond parameters across 63 elements, indicating polyhedral coordination geometry replaces complex quantum calculations.
Chemical bond parameters—bond length, bond energy, and isotope effects—are traditionally treated as element-specific empirical quantities requiring quantum chemical computation. Here we show that these parameters across the entire periodic table are governed by a single geometric scaling law rooted in coordination polyhedron topology. We introduce geometric looseness (δ), a distributed quantity characterizing deviation from regular polyhedral coordination. A unified bond length formula d = d₀(1+δ) achieves 3.12% equivalent mean error across 82 covalent bonds, outperforming the semiempirical PM7 method (4.62%) at calculator-level cost. A bond energy scaling relation E = k/d reduces covalent bond energy prediction error to 4.2% across 65 bonds and lowers ionic crystal lattice energy error from 4.44% (Born-Landé equation) to 2.73%. The 4.44% Born-Landé deviation falls within the geometric looseness range of non-regular polyhedral coordination (2.6%–6.6%), indicating classical theory's error range is the quantitative manifestation of coordination geometric looseness. A universal isotope correction formula calibrated via diamond-family elements (C/Si/Ge, ε₀=0.045) predicts isotope-induced bond length changes in quantitative agreement with experiment at six orders of magnitude lower cost than path-integral molecular dynamics. A complete 63-element quick-reference table enables instant bond parameter prediction. This framework reframes chemical bonding as a unified geometric scaling theory with immediate utility across chemistry, physics, and materials science.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Tianpeng Luo (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: