non-valentadj.
/nɒnˈveɪlənt/, /nɒnˈveɪln̩t/, U.S. /nɑnˈveɪl(ə)nt/ Chemistry.
Originally: (now rare) not readily forming chemical bonds; inert. Later: having a formal oxidation state of zero; = zerovalent adj.; (also) not involving ionic or covalent bonding.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > valency > [adjective] > non-valent
non-valent1896
the world > matter > chemistry > valency > [adjective] > having a valency of zero
zerovalent1906
non-valent1950
1896–7 Proc. Royal Soc. 60 56 There is, therefore, every reason to believe that the elements, helium and argon, are non-valent, that is, are incapable of forming compounds.
1908 Athenæum 28 Mar. 390/1 All the ‘non-valent’ elements—I should prefer to describe them as the elements which are inert at atmospheric pressure and temperature—should sublime.
1923 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 104 441 This [oxygen] atom now having eight peripheral electrons resembles neon in its outer form, and is, therefore, nonvalent in a chemical sense.
1950 N. V. Sidgwick Chem. Elements II. 1429 Nickel is of course non-valent in the carbonyl Ni(CO)4.
1978 Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75 3441/2 An alternative interpretation..is that an unspecified combination of weak nonvalent interactions is responsible for the low-temperature insolubilization.
2002 Acta Crystallographica B. 58 219 The calculation of solid angles of ligands and complexes..allows one to estimate..the probability of forming intra- and intercomplex non-valent contacts.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.1896