Ionization energies of homologous organic compounds and correlation with molecular size

The empirical relationship IE ∝? 1/n, between the ionization energy (IE) and molecular size (as represented by the number of atoms, n) in homologous series of organic compounds has been confirmed for n-alkanes, alkyl halides, cyclic ethers and alkyl-subsiituted cycloalkanes. For each series, the plot of IE vs. 1/n produces a line of characteristic slope. The only exception is the cycloalkanes themselves, whose IE values (from C₃ to C₈) are closely similar. The possible relationship between the IE, the polarizability of the molecules and the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital is briefly discussed.