As a preclude to a theoretical study of nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (NQCC), via the electric field gradients at equilibrium, we review the current state of knowledge of gas-phase data for a diverse set of axially symmetric inorganic and organic molecules with symmetries C 3v , C oov , D^ in particular, where the heavy elements are CI, Br and I with C, Si and Ge hydrides. In most of the cases, the latter elements are in an approximately tetrahedral environment.