notation - Typography of atomic orbital subscripts p_x

It the notation $\mathrm{p_x}$, $\mathrm{p_y}$ and $\mathrm{d_{x^2{-}y^2}}$, are the subscripts variables (and therefore should be in italics) or are they labels (labels for directions, I suppose, and therefore should be upright)?

Answer

The subscripts that specify orbital axes are written in italic. This is mentioned in ACS style guide.$^{[1]}$ So for instance

$$\mathrm{d}_{x^2 - y^2}.$$

Be careful though. Other subscripts for orbitals are generally upright, e.g.,

$$\mathrm{t_{2g}}.$$

$[1]$ Anne M. Coghill, Lorrin R. Garson. ($2006$). The ACS Style Guide. Effective Communication of Scientific Information. American Chemical Society. DOI: 10.1021/bk-2006-STYG, ISBN: 9780841239999 (print), 9780841228306 (online). (p 256)