[en] Reaction between metal clusters and various reactant gases in a coexpanding nozzle led to the formation of Na₂Cl and Na₂O. These species were subjected to photoionization using a UV light source, monochromator, and mass spectrometer detection system. Appearance potentials of 95.7 and 116.7 kcal/mol were obtained for Na₂Cl and Na₂O, respectively. The appearance potential of the Na₂Cl lies between the ionization potential of the metal and the electron affinity of chlorine, while that of Na₂O is close to the ionization potential of the metal. Using these values and other literature data, energies were derived for the following bonds: Na--NaCl (19.7 kcal/mol), Na⁺₂xCl (115.5), Na₂xCl (98.9), and Na⁺₂xCl^- (127.8); Na⁺xNaO (56.8), Na⁺₂xO (94.2), Na₂xO (98.6), and Na⁺₂xO^- (177.2)