(Rg = He ∼ Rn,n = 1–4): In quest of the potential trapping ability of the aromatic ring

A new series of divalent boron‐rare gas cations (Rg = He ∼ Rn, n = 1–4) have been predicted theoretically at the B3LYP, MP2, and CCSD(T) levels to present the structures, stability, charge distributions, bond natures, and aromaticity. The Rg B bond energies are quite large for heavy rare gases and increase with the size of the Rg atom. Because of steric hindrance new Rg atoms introduced to the B₄ ring will weaken the Rg B bond. Thus in the Rg B bond has the largest binding energy 90–100 kcal/mol. p‐ has a slightly shorter Rg B bond length and a larger bond energy than o‐ . NBO and AIM analyses indicate that for the heavy Rg atoms Ar ∼ Rn the B Rg bonds have character of typical covalent bonds. The energy decomposition analysis shows that the σ‐donation from rare gases to the boron ring is the major contribution to the Rg B bonding. Adaptive natural density partitioning and nuclear‐independent chemical shift analyses suggest that both and have obvious aromaticity.     

Geometric and electronic structures of silicon fluorides (N = 4 – 6) and potential energy surfaces for dissociation reactions → SiF4 + F– and → + F–

The geometric and electronic structures of a series of silicon fluorides (n = 4 ? 6) were computationally studied with the aid of density functional theory (DFT) method with B3LYP and M06‐2X functionals and coupled cluster (CCSD and CCSD(T)) methods with 6‐311++G(d,p) basis set. The nature of the Si‐F bonds in these compounds was analyzed in the framework of the natural bond orbital theory and natural resonance theory. Energy characteristics (heats of reactions and energy barriers) of the dissociation reactions → SiF₄ + F^– and → + F^– were calculated using the DFT and CCSD methods. The potential energy surface of elimination of a fluoride anion from has a specific topology with valley‐ridge inflection points corresponding to bifurcations of the minimal energy reaction path. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Full–dimensional quantum molecular dynamics calculations of the rovibrationally mediated X → 2 transition of nitrous oxide

A full dimensional time‐dependent quantum wavepacket approach is used to study the photodissociation dynamics of nitrous oxide for the X → 2 bound–bound transition based on new highly accurate potential energy and transition dipole moment surfaces. The computed 2 absorption spectra at room temperature are characterized by sharp vibrational structures that contribute slightly to the diffuse vibrational structures around the maximum peak at 180 nm of the first ultraviolet absorption band (from the contribution of 2 , 1 , and 2 states) of N₂O. Transitions from different initial rovibrational states reveal that the sharp structures arise mainly from N₂? O bending vibrations, whereas, at higher temperatures, the N₂? O and N? NO stretching vibrations are responsible for enhancing the intensity of the structures. At absorption wavelengths 166 nm and 179 nm, vibrational quantum state distributions of N₂ product fragments decrease monotonically with increasing vibrational quantum number v = 0, 1, 2. At 166 nm, rotational quantum state distributions of N₂ at fixed v = 0 and v = 1 display multimodal profiles with maximum peaks at j = 77 and j = 75, respectively, whereas, the distributions at the 179 nm absorption wavelength display bimodal profiles with maximum peaks at j = 73 and j = 71, respectively. Accordingly, the presence of rotationally hot N₂ from previous experimental and theoretical works in the first band strongly implies a significant influence of the 2 state in determining the final dissociation pathway of N₂ + O. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

General build up of basis and matrix in the diagonalization approach. Determination of Kramers configuration state functions

Algorithms to build the basis and matrix representation to obtain the Kramers configuration space functions (KCSFs) via diagonalization will be formally generalized to an arbitrary number of unpaired (open shell) fermions. Effective build up of the matrix representation will be outlined (including threading and graphical processing unit parallelism) to subsequently obtain the KCSFs via calling external/numerical library routines for diagonalization. The effective build up of the matrix representation relays on a binary tree search algorithm to allow evaluation the action on a given basis vector. The binary tree search avoids the treatment of zero matrix elements which leads to an exponential acceleration. The implementation ( basis creation, matrix representation, and matrix diagonalization) will be done in an all in core and all at once manner, hence the available core memory sets the physical limits in practical applications. Memory limitations, sparsity of the matrix, general case of n fermions in m spinors, and the application of KCSFs will be put into further perspective.     

Lanthanide metals in the boron cages: Computational prediction of M@Bn (M = Eu,Gd; n = 38, 40)

Endohedral metalloborofullerenes (EMBFs) are novel boron analogues of the famous endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs). Many EMBFs have been proposed by theoretical calculations thus far. However, in sharp contrast to EMFs, which trap most of the lanthanides with f electrons inside the cages, the corresponding lanthanide‐based EMBFs have never been reported. In this work, the encapsulation of Eu and Gd in the B₃₈ and B₄₀ fullerenes was studied by means of density functional theory calculations. Our results revealed that Gd@B₃₈(⁹A), Eu@B₄₀(⁸B₂), and Gd@B₄₀(⁷A″) all favor the endohedral configuration, and the electronic structures can be described as Gd³⁺@ , Eu²⁺@ , and Gd³⁺@ with jailed f electron spins. The large binding energies and sizable HOMO–LUMO gaps suggest that they may be achieved experimentally. They feature σ and π double aromaticity, and their excellent stabilities were confirmed by the Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, the infrared and UV/vis spectra were simulated to assist experimental characterization.     

Theoretical prediction of the optical rotation of chiral molecules in ordered media: A computational study of (Ra)‐1,3‐dimethylallene, (2R)‐2‐methyloxirane,and (2R)‐N‐methyloxaziridine

A theoretical procedure has been developed and implemented to calculate the optical rotation of chiral molecules in ordered phase via origin‐independent diagonal components , of the optical activity tensor and origin‐independent components , for , of the mixed electric dipole‐electric quadrupole polarizability. Origin independence was achieved by referring these tensors to the principal axis system of the electric dipole dynamic polarizability at the same laser frequency ω. The approach has been applied, allowing for alternative quantum mechanical methods based on different gauges, to estimate near Hartree–Fock values for three chiral molecules, (2R)‐N‐methyloxaziridine C₂NOH₅, (2R)‐2‐methyloxirane (also referred to as propylene oxide) C₃OH₆, and ( )‐1,3‐dimethylallene C₅H₈, at two frequencies. The theoretical predictions can be useful for an attempt at measuring correspondent experimental values in crystal phase. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The nature of the chemical bond in borazine (B3N3H6), boroxine (B3O3H3), carborazine (B2N2C2H6), and related species

The bonding problem in borazine (B₃N₃H₆), boroxine (B₃O₃H₃), and carborazine (B₂N₂C₂H₆) is successfully addressed through the consideration of the excited states of the constituent fragments, namely BH( ), NH( ), and CH( ). We propose the participation of resonant structures for all three species that help to explain the experimental findings. A discussion on the chemical pattern of the parental molecule benzene (C₆H₆) helps to make coherent the whole bonding analysis on the titled species.     

Energies for cyclic and acyclic aggregations of adamantane and diamantane units sharing vertices,edges, or six‐membered rings

Diamondoids are hydrocarbons having a carbon scaffold comprised from polymer‐like composites of adamantane cages. This article describes computed total energies and “SWB‐tension” energies (often referred to as “strain” energies) for species having n adamantane or diamantane units sharing pairwise: one carbon atom (spiro‐[n]adamantane or spiro‐[n]diamantane); one C? C bond (one‐bond‐sharing‐[n]adamantane or one‐bond‐sharing‐[n]diamantane); or one chair‐shaped hexagon of carbon atoms (1234‐helical‐cata‐[n]diamantanes). Each of the five investigated polymer‐like types is considered either as an acyclic or a cyclic chain of adamantane‐ or diamantane‐unit cages. With increasing n values, SWB‐tension energies for acyclic aggregates are found to increase linearly, while the net SWB‐tension energies of cyclic aggregates often go thru a minimum at a suitable value of . In all five cases, a limiting common energy per unit ( ) is found to be approached by both cyclic and acyclic chains as , as revealed from plots of versus 1/n for acyclic chains and of versus 1/n² for cyclic chains. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Electron‐density delocalization in many‐electron atoms confined by penetrable walls: A Hartree–Fock study

The electronic structure of several many‐electron atoms, confined within a penetrable spherical box, was studied using the Hartree–Fock (HF) method, coupling the Roothaan's approach with a new basis set to solve the corresponding one‐electron equations. The resulting HF wave‐function was employed to evaluate the Shannon entropy, , in configuration space. Confinements imposed by impenetrable walls induce decrements on when the confinement radius, R_c, is reduced and the electron‐density is localized. For confinements commanded by penetrable walls, exhibits an entirely different behavior, because when an atom starts to be confined, delivers values less than those observed for the free system, in the same way that the results presented by impenetrable walls. However, from a confinement radius, shows increments, and precisely in these regions, the spatial restrictions spread to the electron density. Thus, from results presented in this work, the Shannon entropy can be used as a tool to measure the electron density delocalization for many‐electron atoms, as the hydrogen atom confined in similar conditions.     

Explicitly correlated variational estimates of the energy levels of negative hydrogen ion under spatial confinement

Comprehensive investigations on the structural modifications of negative hydrogen ion within an impenetrable spherical domain has been performed in the framework of Ritz variational method. Electron correlation plays a major role in the formation of H^– ion. The Hylleraas‐type basis set expansion of wave function considered here incorporates the effect of electron correlation in an explicit manner. Energy values of and 1sn states of H^– ion within confined domain have been calculated. Although the singly excited states do not exist for a “free” H^– ion, well converged energy values of such states have been found within a wide range of confinement radius. The thermodynamic pressure felt by the ion inside the sphere is also estimated. The general trend shows successive destabilization of the excited energy levels with increase of pressure. The contribution of angular correlation in the energy values have been estimated. Evolution of and energy levels of H^– ion as quasi‐bound states are being reported.     

Ritz variational method for the high‐lying nonautoionizing doubly excited 1,3Fe states of two‐electron atoms

Energy eigenvalues of nonautoionizing doubly excited states originating from 2pnf ( ) configuration of two‐electron atoms have been calculated by expanding the basis set in explicitly correlated Hylleraas coordinates under the framework of Ritz variational method. A detailed discussion on the evaluation of correlated basis integrals is given. The energy eigenvalues of a number of these doubly excited states are being reported for the first time especially for the high lying states. The effective quantum numbers ( ) for the states mentioned above have been calculated by using the theory of quantum defect.     

Einstein A Coefficients,Oscillator Strengths,and Absolute Band Strengths for the First Negative System,and Franck-Condon Factors for the Second Negative System of

The Franck-Condon factors and r centroids for the first negative and the second negative band systems of the molecule, based on the Rydberg-Klein-Rees potential energy curves, have been computed. The variation of the electronic transition moment with the internuclear separation has been studied for the first negative bands and the Einstein A coefficients, the oscillator strengths, and the absolute band strengths for this system have been calculated by adopting the recent experimental data on the lifetimes of the various levels of the excited B state. On a calculé pour la molécule les facteurs de Franck-Condon et les r centroïds pour les deux premiers systèmes de bandes négatives avec des courbes de potential de Rydberg-Klein-Rees. On a étudié la variation du moment de transition éléctronique avec la séparation internucléaire pour les premières bandes négatives. Les constantes A d'Einstein, les forces d'oscillateur et les intensités absolues des bandes ont été calculé des données expérimentales récentes sur les durées de vie des niveaux différents de l'état excité B . Die Franck-Condon-Faktoren und die r-Zentroide der zwei ersten negativen Banden-systeme des -Moleküls, wurden mit den Rydberg-Klein-kees Potentialkurven berechnet. Die Variation des elektronischen Übergangsmoment mit dem Kernabstand würde für die ersten negativen Bänder studiert. Die Einsteinschen A-Koeffizienten, die Oszillatorstärken and die absoluten Bandenstärken wurden mit die neuen experimentellen Tatsachen über die Lebensdauern der verschiedenen Niveaus des angeregten B Zustands berechnet.     

Carbon–sulfur chains: A high‐resolution infrared and quantum‐chemical study of C3S and SC7S

In the course of a 5 μm high‐resolution infrared study of laser ablation products from carbon–sulfur targets, the ν₁ vibrational mode region of linear C₃S has been studied continuously from 2046 to 2065 cm^?1. Besides the prominent vibrational fundamental, the region was found to feature the , and even hot bands, the latter two of which were observed for the first time. Owing to the high signal‐to‐noise ratio obtained, the ν₁ mode of S could also be observed in natural abundance for the first time at high spectral resolution in the infrared. At 2061 cm^?1, hidden inside the branch of the C₃S ν₁ fundamental mode, a weak new band is observed which exhibits very tight line spacing and stems from a heavy both carbon and sulfur containing carrier. On the basis of high‐level quantum‐chemical calculations of selected carbon–sulfur chains and other carbon‐rich cumulenes, this feature is attributed to the ν₅ vibrational fundamental of linear SC₇S, which stands for the first gas‐phase spectroscopic detection of this long cumulenic chain.     

The “bound wavefunction” on the repulsive excited ( ) state of the HD+ molecule

The time‐independent Schrödinger equation for the HD+ molecule is solved beyond the Born–Oppenheimer (B‐O) approximation. In the adiabatic representation, the wavefunction of the ground vibrational eigenstate is found to contain two parts: One is on the ground ( ) state which is dominant, and the other is on the repulsive excited ( ) state in the range from R = 0.0 to R = 5.0 Bohr. This is because the nonadiabatic coupling between the ground ( ) and excited ( ) states is strong in that region. The influences of the nonadiabatic coupling on the vibrational eigenfunctions are discussed in detail.     

The H,H2+, and HeH2+ systems confined by an impenetrable spheroidal cavity: Revisited study via the Lagrange‐mesh approach

The one electron systems H, H , and HeH confined by an impenetrable spheroidal cavity are revisited in the frame of the Lagrange‐mesh method. The Born–Oppenheimer approximation where the nuclei are clamped at the foci is considered. Benchmark results of the total energy are obtained as a function of the interfocal distance R and the eccentricity of the cavity . Dipole oscillator strengths are calculated for the molecular ions H and HeH .     

Information‐entropic measures in free and confined hydrogen atom

Shannon entropy (S), Rényi entropy (R), Tsallis entropy (T), Fisher information (I), and Onicescu energy (E) have been explored extensively in both free H atom (FHA) and confined H atom (CHA). For a given quantum state, accurate results are presented by employing respective exact analytical wave functions in r space. The p‐space wave functions are generated from respective Fourier transforms—for FHA these can be expressed analytically in terms of Gegenbauer polynomials, whereas in CHA these are computed numerically. Exact mathematical expressions of , are derived for circular states of a FHA. Pilot calculations are done taking order of entropic moments (α, β) as in r and p spaces. A detailed, systematic analysis is performed for both FHA and CHA with respect to state indices n, l, and with confinement radius (r_c) for the latter. In a CHA, at small r_c, kinetic energy increases, whereas decrease with growth of n, signifying greater localization in high‐lying states. At moderate r_c, there exists an interplay between two mutually opposing factors: (i) radial confinement (localization) and (ii) accumulation of radial nodes with growth of n (delocalization). Most of these results are reported here for the first time, revealing many new interesting features. Comparison with literature results, wherever possible, offers excellent agreement.     

A theoretical study on cyclacenes: Analytical tight‐binding approach

We present a theoretical study of cyclacene molecules performed at tight‐binding level. The orbital energies and eigenvectors have been analytically computed, and exact expressions for the axial component of the total position spread and polarizability tensors have been obtained. In absence of dimerization, the system has a D_nh symmetry, where n is the number of hexagonal units. The energy bands present no gap at the Fermi level, and to this fact it corresponds a diverging (per‐electron) polarizability for in the direction of the system symmetry axis. The two (degenerate) components of the polarizability on the σ_h symmetry plane, conversely, remain finite for . The total position spread tensor presents a qualitatively different behavior, since all the three components of the position spread per electron remain finite for . The results are analyzed and discussed for both axial and planar components separately as these are affected differently with respect to the increasing system size. Both dipole polarizability and total position spread have been computed using an ab initio approach for the smallest systems, to compare the analytical tight‐binding expressions with a higher‐level theory.     

Quantum control of electron‐proton symmetry breaking in dissociative ionization of H2 by intense laser pulses

Forward and backward electron/proton ionization/dissociation spectra from one‐dimensional non‐Born‐Oppenheimer H₂ molecule exposed to ultrashort intense laser pulses ( W/cm², λ = 800 nm) have been computed by numerically solving the time‐dependent Schrödinger equation. The resulting above‐threshold ionization and above‐threshold dissociation spectra exhibit the characteristic forward‐backward asymmetry and sensitivity to the carrier‐envelope phase (CEP), particularly for high energies. A general framework for understanding CEP effects in the asymmetry of dissociative ionization of H₂ has been established. It is found that the symmetry breaking of electron‐proton distribution with π periodic modulation occurs for all CEPs except for ( integer) and the largest asymmetry coming from the CEP of . At least one of the electron and proton distributions is asymmetric when measured simultaneously. Inspection of the nuclear and electron wave packet dynamics provides further information about the relative contribution of the gerade and ungerade states of to the dissociation channel and the time delay of electrons in asymmetric ionization. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Dealing with the shifted and inverted Tietz–Hua oscillator potential using the J‐matrix method

The tridiagonal J‐matrix approach has been used to calculate the low and moderately high‐lying eigenvalues of the rotating shifted Tietz–Hua (RSTH) oscillator potential. The radial Schrödinger equation is solved efficiently by means of the diagonalization of the full Hamiltonian matrix, with the Laguerre or oscillator basis. Ro–vibrational bound state energies for 11 diatomic systems, namely , , , NO, CO, , , , , , and NO⁺, are calculated with high accuracy. Some of the energy states for molecules are reported here for the first time. The results of the last four molecules have been introduced for the first time using the oscillator basis. Higher accuracy is achieved by calculating the energy corresponding to the poles of the S‐matrix in the complex energy plane using the J‐matrix method. Furthermore, the bound states and the resonance energies for the newly proposed inverted Tietz–Hua IRSTH‐potential are calculated for the H₂‐molecule with scaled depth. A detailed analysis of variation of eigenvalues with n, quantum numbers is made. Results are compared with literature data, wherever possible. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Theoretical investigation of the weak interactions of rare gas atoms with silver clusters by resonance Raman spectroscopy modeling

The interactions of rare gas atoms (Rg = Ar, Kr, and Xe) with small neutral and cationic silver clusters have been investigated by density functional methods and the effect of these weak interactions on the resonance Raman spectra of the complexes has been evaluated. The resonance Raman technique that depends on the properties of ground and excited state, seems deeply sensitive to the weak rare gas–metal cluster interactions, and the use of inert gases has been proven to be an excellent approach to recognize the ability of this technique to detect extremely weak interactions. In this work, for , and complexes the IR, normal and resonance Raman spectra have been calculated and the effect of rare gas–cluster stretching vibration ( ) on the pattern and the relative intensities of different spectra have been investigated. The resonance Raman spectra for the weakly interacted complexes (with the interaction energies less than ?2.0 kcal/mol) exhibit the vibration with the detectable intensity that its intensity increases by going from Ag₆–Ar to Ag₆–Xe complex. Moreover, the resonance Raman spectra (based on the excited state gradient approximation) for high intensity nearly degenerate excited states, proved the effect of accumulation of the excited state charge density on the relative intensity of vibration.