Mechanistic investigation of vibrational fine structure in e‐H2 scattering using local complex potential‐based time dependent wave packet approach

The structural features of vibrational excitation cross‐sections in resonant e‐H₂ scattering have been investigated using a time dependent wave packet approach and a local complex potential to describe the ²Σ H anion. An analysis of the partial contributions to the vibrational excitation cross‐sections reveals that all features of the excitation profile result from simple interference between bound vibrational levels of H₂ and H. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008     

The adsorption of CO2, H2CO3, HCO3− and CO32− on Cu2O (111) surface: First‐principles study

The adsorption of CO₂, and its derivatives, H₂CO₃, HCO, and CO, on Cu₂O (111) surface has been investigated by first‐principles calculations based on the density functional theory at B3LYP hybrid functional level. The Cu₂O (111) surface has been modeled using an embedded cluster method,in which the quantum clusters plus some ab initio ion model potentials were inserted in an array of point charges. On the surface, H₂CO₃ was dissociated into an H⁺ and an HCO ion. Among the CO₂ species, HCO was the only activated species on the surface. The results suggest that the reduction of CO₂ on Cu₂O (111) surface can start from the form of HCO. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Theoretical study of one‐electron bonds in a series of high‐spin lithium–beryllium–hydrogen clusters: “Valence shell single‐electron repulsion” rule and electron localization function analysis

A series of high‐spin clusters containing Li, H, and Be in which the valence shell molecular orbitals (MOs) are occupied by a single electron has been characterized using ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A first type (⁵Li₂, ⁿ⁺¹LiH_n+ (n = 2–5), ⁸Li₂H) possesses only one electron pair in the lowest MO, with bond energies of ～3 kcal/mol. In a second type, all the MOs are singly occupied, which results in highly excited species that nevertheless constitute a marked minimum on their potential energy surface (PES). Thus, it is possible to design a larger panel of structures (⁸LiBe, ⁷Li₂, ⁸Li, ⁴LiH⁺, ⁶BeH, ⁿ⁺³LiH (n = 3, 4), ⁿ⁺²LiH (n = 4–6), ⁸Li₂H, ⁹Li₂H, ²²Li₃Be₃ and ²²Li₆H), single‐electron equivalent to doublet “classical” molecules ranging from CO to C₆H₆. The geometrical structure is studied in relation to the valence shell single‐electron repulsion (VSEPR) theory and the electron localization function (ELF) is analyzed, revealing a striking similarity with the corresponding structure having paired electrons. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Stable complex C2H4Al4Li3− and its similarity with bicyclo[2.2.0]hex‐2‐ene: A DFT study

We propose that complexation of all metal antiaromatic Al₄Li with C₂H₄ may lead to stable C₂H₄Al₄Li species [II(b)]. Complexation leads to the electron transfer from Al₄Li moiety to C₂H₄ and development of aromatic character in the Al₄ ring. Our proposed compound C₂H₄Al₄Li [II(b)] is very similar to the existing organic compound bicyclo[2.2.0]hex‐2‐ene [I(b)]. The complex C₂H₄Al₄Li [II(b)] can be imagined as an analogue of bicyclo[2.2.0]hex‐2‐ene [I(b)] achieved by a simple replacement of C₄H₄ in the later with π‐isoelectronic Al₄Li moiety in the former. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Structure and dissociation energy of weakly bound H (n = 5−8) complexes

The geometrical parameters, vibrational frequencies, and dissociation energies for H (n = 5–8) clusters have been investigated using high level ab initio quantum mechanical techniques with large basis sets. The highest level of theory employed in this study is TZ2P CCSD(T). The C₁ structure of H is predicted to be a global minimum, while the C_s structure of H is calculated to be a transition state. Harmonic vibrational frequencies are also determined at the DZP and TZ2P CCSD levels of theory. The dissociation energies, D_e, for H (n = 5–8) have been predicted using energy differences at each optimized geometry, and zero‐point vibrational energies (ZPVEs) are considered to compare with experimental values. The dissociation energies (D_o) have been predicted to be 1.69, 1.65, 1.65, and 1.46 kcal · mol for H, H, H (C₁ symmetry) and H, respectively, at the TZ2P CCSD(T) level of theory. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Probing the ultrafast photoelectron spectra of Br2 molecule

The time‐dependent‐wave‐packet method is applied to study the ionization of Br₂ molecule with four ionization processes. The ground state absorption makes the photoelectron to be left in the three final ionic states: Br (X²∑), Br (A²∏_u), and Br (B²∑), and each population of these ionic states is related with the laser intensities. The information of the dissociation can be got by analyzing the photoelectron features of the transient wave packet, which also suggests that an ionization process occurs during the dissociation, and the Br atoms that mainly resulted from the dissociation of Br₂ (C¹∏_u) are ionized at later time delays as the dissociation is nearly complete. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Theoretical evidence of d‐orbital aromaticity in anionic metal X (X = Sc,Y, La) clusters

The equilibrium geometries, total electronic energies, and vibrational frequencies for singlet, triplet, and quinted states of three all‐metal X (X = Sc, Y, and La) anions and nine relevant neutral singlet MX₃ (M = Li, Na, K, X = Sc, Y, La) clusters are investigated with four density functional theory (DFT) and correlated ab initio methods B3LYP, B3PW91, MP2, and CCSD(T). To our knowledge, the theoretical study on these clusters composed of the transition metal Sc, Y, La is first reported here. The calculated results show that for the X clusters the singlet states with trigonal D_3h structures are the lowest energetically, while the neutral singlet MX₃ clusters each have two stable isomers: one trigonal pyramidal C_3v and one bidentate C_2v structures with the pyramidal C_3v isomer being ground state. In addition, we calculate the resonance energies (RE) and nucleus‐independent chemical shift (NICS) for the singlet trigonal X rings and show that these singlet trigonal X rings exhibit higher degree of aromaticity. The detailed molecular orbital (MO) analyses reveal that the singlet trigonal X anions have one delocalized σ‐type and one delocalized π‐type MOs, which follow the 4n + 2 electron counting rule, respectively and play an important role in rendering these species two‐fold aromaticity. Here, an explicit theoretical evidence is given to prove that the contribution to the two‐fold aromaticity of the singlet trigonal X (X = Sc, Y, and La) rings originates primarily from the d‐orbital bonding interactions of these component transition metal X atoms. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Maximum carbonyl‐coordination number of scandium Computational study of Sc(CO)n (n = 1–7), Sc(CO)7− and Sc(CO)63−

Understanding the maximum bonding ability is very important with the potential both to design new compounds and to broaden chemists' imagination. While the coordination ability of the late transition metals has been richly understood, that of scandium is very poor. In this work, a detailed computational study on the equilibrium geometries, stability and vibrational frequencies of a series of Sc(CO)_n (n = 1–7), Sc(CO) and Sc(CO) is reported using density functional theory functionals and the coupled cluster (single‐point) method with 6‐311+G(3df) basis set. It was shown that the obtained sequential and average CO binding energies of Sc(CO)_n (n = 4–7), Sc(CO) and Sc(CO) are comparable to those of the experimentally known species, i.e., smaller Sc‐carbonyls (n ≤3) and the analog Ti(CO)₇⁺. Thus, the studied high scandium carbonyls could all be experimentally accessible. In addition, the studied Sc(CO)_n generally favor the low‐spin ground state (doublet) structures except ScCO and Sc(CO)₃ that are in the quartet states. The previously uncertain spectrum bands were assigned to Sc(CO)₄ and Sc(CO)₅ in this work. In all, the appreciable stability suggested that the last 18‐electron first‐row transition metal carbonyls, that is, Sc(CO) and Sc(CO), could be accessible in experiment. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The lowest order relativistic corrections for the hydrogen molecule

We have calculated the lowest order relativistic corrections for the X ¹Σ, B¹Σ, a³Σ, b³Σ, I¹Π_g, C¹Π_u, i³Π_g, c³Π_u, J¹Δ_g, and j³Δ_g states of the hydrogen molecule using variational Monte Carlo methods and compact, explicitly correlated trial wavefunctions. Our values are in good agreement with earlier calculations on the X¹Σ and B¹Σ states. For the other states, our work provides the first estimate of these properties. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Theoretical study of spectroscopic constants and molecular properties of rare‐gas diatomic cations

Ab initio and density functional methods are applied to study the spectroscopic constants and molecular properties of the diatomic cations He, Ne, Ar, HeNe⁺, and HeAr⁺. Among these cations, HeAr⁺ is found to be weakly bound and its spectroscopic constants are calculated using the Lennard‐Jones potential. The other molecules that are strongly bound obey Morse potential, and their spectroscopic constants are calculated accordingly. The calculated spectroscopic constants agree very well with the theoretical and experimental values wherever available. Most of the spectroscopic constants and molecular properties are reported for the first time. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Evaluation of two‐center,three‐ and four‐electron integrals over Slater‐type orbitals in elliptical coordinates

An algorithm for evaluation of two‐center, three‐electron integrals with the correlation factors of the type rr and rrr as well as four‐electron integrals with the correlation factors rrr and rrr in the Slater basis is presented. This problem has been solved here in elliptical coordinates, using the generalized and modified form of the Neumann expansion of the interelectronic distance function r for k ≥ ?1. Some numerical results are also included. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Structure and stability of Be6, Be,and Be clusters

The structure and stability of Be₆, Be, and Be clusters have been investigated at the B3LYP, B3PW91, and second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2) levels of theory, along with the 6‐311G* basis set for neutral and cationic clusters and the 6‐311+G* basis set for anion clusters. CCSD(T)/6‐311+G* has also been used to calculate some neutral structure to find the most stable structure. Twelve Be₆, six Be, and eight Be isomers are identified. The distortion octahedron structure, pentagonal pyramids structure, and trapezoidal bipyramid structure are found to be the most stable structure on the neutral, cationic, and anionic surface, respectively. They are in agreement with the results reported previously. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, molecular orbital (MO) pictures, and the nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) values suggest aromatic of the neutral and cationic clusters and antiaromatic of the anionic cluster. The multi‐center σ bonds and delocalized π bonds play important role in the bonding of the beryllium clusters. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Reaction mechanism of platinum dimer cation with ammonia based on the relativistic density functional study

The gas‐phase reactions between Pt and NH₃ have been investigated using the relativistic density functional approach (ZORA‐PW91/TZ2P). The quartet and doublet potential energy surfaces of Pt + NH₃ have been explored. The minimum energy reaction path proceeds through the following steps: Pt(⁴Σ_u) + NH₃ → q‐1 → d‐2 → d‐3 → d‐4 → d‐Pt₂NH⁺ + H₂. In the whole reaction pathway, the step of d‐2 → d‐3 is the rate‐determining step with a energy barrier of 36.1 kcal/mol, and exoergicity of the whole reaction is 12.0 kcal/mol. When Pt₂NH⁺ reacts with NH₃ again, there are two rival reaction paths in the doublet state. One is degradation of NH and another is loss of H₂. In the case of degradation of NH, the activation energy is only 3.4 kcal/mol, and the overall reaction is exothermic by 8.9 kcal/mol. Thus, this reaction is favored both thermodynamically and kinetically. However, in the case of loss of H₂, the rate‐determining step's energy barrier is 64.3 kcal/mol and the overall reaction is endothermic by 8.5 kcal/mol, so it is difficult to take place. Predicted relative energies and barriers along the suggested reaction paths are in reasonable agreement with experimental observations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Density functional theory study of geometry and stability of small Zrn (n = 2–10) clusters

Geometric structures, electronic properties, and stabilities of small Zr_n and Zr (n = 2–10) clusters have been investigated using density functional theory with effective core potential LanL2DZ basis set. For both neutral and charged systems, several isomers and different multiplicities were studied to determine the lowest energy structures. Many most stable states with high symmetry were found for small Zr_n clusters. The most stable structures and symmetries of Zr clusters are the same as the neutral ones except n = 4 and 7. We found that the clusters with n > 3 possess highly compact structures. The clusters are inclined to form the caged‐liked geometry containing pentagonal structures for n > 8, which is in favor of energy. From the formation energy and second‐order energy difference, we obtained that 2‐, 5‐, 7‐atoms of neutral and 4‐, 7‐atoms cationic clusters are the magic numbers. Furthermore, the highest occupied molecular orbital‐lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gaps display that the Zr₃, Zr₆, Zr, and Zr are more stable in chemical stability. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Density functional study of aurophilic interaction in Cl(AuPH3) and in its dimerization

With the help of quantum mechanical calculations, the geometric structures and electronic structures of the closed‐shell systems Cl(AuPH₃) and [Cl(AuPH₃)]₂ have been determined by DFT and MP2 methods. Experimental structure parameters of the title compounds were reproduced at Xα level. The Mulliken population and HOMO–LUMO gaps were examined. The intermolecular aurophilic interactions in [Cl(AuPH₃)]₂ were analyzed and decomposed. A positive BE value (no bonding) was calculated. When 2PC was added, each pair Au… Au interaction energy was about 83 kJ/mol. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Theoretical study on AlnO2 (n = 1–10) clusters and O2 adsorption on the Al(111) surface

The structural properties of neutral and ionic Al_nO₂ (n = 1–10) clusters have been systematically investigated using the density functional method B3LYP with a standard 6‐311+G(d) basis set. The calculated results show that in the Al_nO, Al_nO₂, and Al_nO (n ≥ 3) clusters, O atoms tend to penetrate into the aluminum clusters with some Al atoms moving outward. The binding energies and natural charges populations indicate that the oxygen‐etching is generally stronger in the order Al < Al_n < Al for n < 3, and Al > Al_n > Al for n ≥ 3. To further understand the mechanism of interaction between Al and O₂, the adsorption of O₂ on the Al(111) surface was studied using the density functional theory with plane wave pseudopotential method. The calculated results are consistent with the experimental observation that the O₂ molecule would dissociate on the Al(111) surface and be adsorbed in adjacent hollow sites, forming a local structure of Al₃O–Al₃O. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Convergence accelerator approach for the evaluation of some three‐electron integrals containing explicit rij factors

A simplified analysis is presented for the evaluation of the three‐electron one‐center integrals of the form ∫rrrrrred r ₁d r ₂d r ₃, for the cases i, j, k, ≥−2, l=−2, m≥−1, n≥−1. These integrals arise in the calculation of lower bounds for energy levels and certain relativistic corrections to the energy when Hylleraas‐type basis sets are employed. Convergence accelerator techniques are employed to obtain a reasonable number of digits of precision, without excessive CPU requirements. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 93–99, 1999     

Structure and stability of high‐spin Aun(n = 2–8) clusters

The structures and relative stability of the maximum‐spin ⁿ⁺¹Au_n and ⁿAu (n = 2–8) clusters have been determined by density‐functional theory. The structure optimizations and vibrational frequency analysis are performed with the gradient‐corrections of Perdew along with his 1981 local correlation functional, combined with SBKJC effective core potential, augmented in the valence basis set by a set of f functions. We predicted the existence of a number of previously unknown isomers. The energetic and electronic properties of the small high‐spin gold clusters are strongly dependent on sizes. The high‐spin clusters tend to holding three‐dimensional geometry rather than planar form preferred in low‐spin situations. In whole high‐spin Au_n (n = 2–8) neutral and cationic species, ⁵Au₄, ²Au, and ⁴Au are predicted to be of high stability, which can be explained by valence bond theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Comparative semiempirical and ab initio study of the structural and chemical properties of uric acid and its anions

Semiempirical, density functional theory (DFT), and ab initio calculations have been performed to assess the relative stabilities of 15 possible tautomer forms of neutral uric acid, and of the different urate mono‐ and dianion forms. These methods have also been used to compute ionization potentials (IPs) for uric acid and its derived anions. Overall, we have found that semiempirical calculations, in particular PM3, perform well as compared with B3LYP or MP2 computations toward these different structural and chemical properties of uric acid: the triketo form of uric acid is the most stable tautomer form of neutral uric acid. Three other tautomer forms are relatively close in energy, within the range 2–6 kcal/mol above the triketo form, with a mean energy deviation of only 1.3 kcal/mol between PM3 and DFT or ab initio results; the monoanion form of uric acid obtained by abstracting one proton in position 3 (denoted UAN) is the most stable form among all four possible urate monoanions both in gas phase and in solution; the dianion form of uric acid obtained by abstracting two protons, respectively, in positions 3 and 9 of uric acid (denoted UANN) is the most stable urate dianion form both in gas phase and in solution. However, these two most stable species do not have the lowest IPs in solution: among monoanions and dianions, respectively, the species with the lowest IPs are UAN and UANN. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007