S3O2--an unusual structure with pi*-pi* interaction

The structures and relative stabilities of 15 S3O2 isomers have been investigated by G3X(MP2), CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ and MRCI/CASSCF calculations. The global energy minimum is a three-membered sulfur ring with two adjacent sulfoxide groups in a trans conformation, i.e. a vic-disulfoxide of C2 symmetry. The SS bond lengths are 2.136 (2x) and 2.354 angstroms at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level of theory. There is a strong interaction between the pi* orbitals of the two S=O moieties both in the trans and in the almost degenerate cis conformer. The corresponding chain-like singlet and triplet isomers of connectivity OSSSO lie close in energy (ca. 67 kJ mol(-1)) while five-membered and branched four-membered rings are significantly less stable. The structure of S3O2 is in contrast to that of the isoelectronic analogue S5, which exists as a five-membered twisted heterocycle.     

Ab initio MO study on the global minimum structure of C3H3 anion: propynl-1-yl versus allenyl anions

The geometrical structures of the C₃H⁻₃ anion are surveyed at the coupled-cluster doubles (CCD) level of theory with the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. To clarify the CCD geometries, the stable two isomers -- propynl-l-yl 1 and allenyl 2 anions -- are further optimized at the coupled-cluster singles, doubles (triples) (CCSD(T)) level of theory both with the aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The final energies are calculated at the CCSD(T) and the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) multi-reference internally contracted CI (MRCI) levels of theory with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. At the MRCI level of theory including both the corrections due to the cluster energies (MRCI+Q) and the zero-point vibrational energies, the allenyl anion 2 is about 1.3 kcal mol⁻¹ lower in energy than the propynl-l-yl anion 1. These results contrast with the previous theoretical estimates, where the propynl-l-yl anion 1 is 2-3 kcal mol⁻¹ lower in energy than the allenyl anion 2. The activation energies of the intramolecular hydrogen transfer in the 1 → 2 conversion reactions are 63.5 kcal mol⁻¹ at the MRCI+Q level of theory with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set including the zero-point energy corrections. The adiabatic electron affinity of the planer propargyl (H₂CCCH) radical, which is the global minimum of the C₃H₃ radical, is calculated to be 0.976 eV (after correction for the zero-point energy changes) at the CCSD(T) level of theory with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. The present electron affinity is in fairly good agreement with the experimental one (0.893 eV) observed by Oakes and Ellison.     

On the nature of the unusually long OO bond in HO(3) and HO(4) radicals

The HO(3) and HO(4) polyoxide radicals have attracted some attention due to their potential role in ozone chemistry. Experimentally, the geometrical structure of HO(3) is known whereas that of HO(4) is not. Moreover, the existence of the latter radical has been questioned. Theoretical calculations on the two species have been reported before, showing important structural differences depending on the computational level. Both radicals present an unusually long OO bond (around 1.7-1.8 A) that can be associated with an intricate interaction between HO, or HO(2), with O(2). The nature of such interaction is investigated in detail using large scale ab initio methods (CASSCF, CASPT2, MRCI, QCISD, CCSD(T)) and density functional techniques (B3LYP) in connection with extended basis sets. Stabilization enthalpies at 298 K with respect to HO (or HO(2)) and O(2) have been computed amounting to -3.21 kcal mol(-1) for HO(3) (trans conformation) and 11.33 kcal mol(-1) for HO(4) (cis conformation). The corresponding formation enthalpies are 6.12 and 11.83 kcal mol(-1). The trans conformation of HO(4) is less stable than the cis one by 6.17 kcal mol(-1). Transition states for HO(4) dissociation and for cis/trans conversion are also described.     

CCSD(T) and MRCI studies on the ground and excited states of BrOClO and ClOBrO

In this work, three forms (cis, trans and nonplanar) of ClOBrO and BrOClO were optimized at CCSD(T)/cc‐pVTZ level of theory. At the most stable forms (nonplanar form) of ClOBrO and BrOClO, the vertical excitation energies for the lowest six singlet states and two triplet states were calculated at the multireference internally contracted configuration interaction (MRCI) level of theory using cc‐pVDZ, Aug‐cc‐pVDZ, cc‐pVTZ, and Aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets. The scalar relativistic effect on the excited states of BrOClO and ClOBrO were estimated. In addition, the potential energy curves of the lowest six singlet states and two triplet states of BrOClO and ClOBrO, as well as BrOOCl were calculated at both MCSCF (complete active space self‐consistent field) and MRCI levels of theory using Aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis set on the active space (18e,12o) along the distances of BrO? ClO, ClO? BrO, and BrO? OCl. The results were compared among BrOOCl, ClOBrO, and BrOClO. The first singlet excited state of BrOOCl is 1.12 eV higher than that of BrOClO and 1.36 eV higher than that of ClOBrO at MRCI/cc‐pVTZ level of theory. The first triplet excited state of BrOOCl is 0.77 eV higher than that of BrOClO and 0.86 eV higher than that of ClOBrO at MRCI/cc‐pVTZ level of theory. Most of the excited states of BrOClO studied in this work are unbound states; but most of the ClOBrO and BrOOCl excited states studied in this work are weakly bound states at MRCI level of theory. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

The effect of the torsional and stretching vibrations of C2H6 on the H + C2H6 --> H2 + C2H5 reaction

We present a three-dimensional quantum scattering model to treat reactions of the type H + C2H6 --> H2 + C2H5. The model allows the torsional and the stretching degrees of freedom to be treated explicitly. Zero-point energies of the remaining modes are taken into account in electronic structure calculations. An analytical potential-energy surface was developed from a minimal number of ab initio geometry evaluations using the CCSD(T,full)/cc-pVTZ//MP2(full)/cc-pVTZ level of theory. The reaction is endothermic by 1.5 kcal mol(-1) and exhibits a vibrationally adiabatic barrier of 12.0 kcal mol(-1). The results show that the torsional mode influences reactivity when coupled with the vibrational C-H stretching mode. We also found that ethyl radical products are formed internally excited in the torsional mode.     

An ab initio study of the Cl(P)+C2H6→C2H5+HCl abstraction reaction

Electronic energies, geometries, and harmonic vibration frequencies for the reactants, products, and transition state for the Cl(³P)+C₂H₆→C₂H₅+HCl abstraction reaction were evaluated at the HF and MP2 levels using several correlation consistent polarized-valence basis sets. Single-point calculations at PMP2, MP4, QCISD(T), and CCSD(T) levels were also carried out. The values of the forward activation energies obtained at the MP4/cc-pVTZ, QCISD(T)/cc-pVTZ, and CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ levels using the MP2/cc-pVTZ structures are equal to −0.1, −0.4, and −0.3 kcal/mol, respectively. The experimental value is equal to 0.3±0.2 kcal/mol. We found that the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ adiabatic vibration energy for the reaction (−2.4 kcal/mol) agrees well with the experimental value −(2.2–2.6) kcal/mol. Rate constants calculated with the zeroth-order interpolated variational transition state (IVTST-0) method are in good agreement with experiment. In general, the theoretical rate constants differ from experiment by, at most, a factor of 2.6.     

Stairway to the conical intersection: a computational study of the retinal isomerization

The potential-energy surface of the first excited state of the 11-cis-retinal protonated Schiff base (PSB11) chromophore has been studied at the density functional theory (DFT) level using the time-dependent perturbation theory approach (TDDFT) in combination with Becke's three-parameter hybrid functional (B3LYP). The potential-energy curves for torsion motions around single and double bonds of the first excited state have also been studied at the coupled-cluster approximate singles and doubles (CC2) level. The corresponding potential-energy curves for the ground state have been calculated at the B3LYP DFT and second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) levels. The TDDFT study suggests that the electronic excitation initiates a turn of the beta-ionone ring around the C6-C7 bond. The torsion is propagating along the retinyl chain toward the cis to trans isomerization center at the C11=C12 double bond. The torsion twist of the C10-C11 single bond leads to a significant reduction in the deexcitation energy indicating that a conical intersection is being reached by an almost barrierless rotation around the C10-C11 single bond. The energy released when passing the conical intersection can assist the subsequent cis to trans isomerization of the C11=C12 double bond. The CC2 calculations also show that the torsion barrier for the twist of the retinyl C10-C11 single bond adjacent to the isomerization center almost vanishes for the excited state. Because of the reduced torsion barriers of the single bonds, the retinyl chain can easily deform in the excited state. Thus, the CC2 and TDDFT calculations suggest similar reaction pathways on the potential-energy surface of the excited state leading toward the conical intersection and resulting in a cis to trans isomerization of the retinal chromophore. According to the CC2 calculations the cis to trans isomerization mechanism does not involve any significant torsion motion of the beta-ionone ring.     

Accurate ab initio potential energy surfaces for the 3A' and 3A' electronic states of the O(3P)+HBr system

In this work, we report the construction of potential energy surfaces for the (3)A(') and (3)A(') states of the system O((3)P) + HBr. These surfaces are based on extensive ab initio calculations employing the MRCI+Q/CBS+SO level of theory. The complete basis set energies were estimated from extrapolation of MRCI+Q/aug-cc-VnZ(-PP) (n = Q, 5) results and corrections due to spin-orbit effects obtained at the CASSCF/aug-cc-pVTZ(-PP) level of theory. These energies, calculated over a region of the configuration space relevant to the study of the reaction O((3)P) + HBr → OH + Br, were used to generate functions based on the many-body expansion. The three-body potentials were interpolated using the reproducing kernel Hilbert space method. The resulting surface for the (3)A(') electronic state contains van der Waals minima on the entrance and exit channels and a transition state 6.55 kcal/mol higher than the reactants. This barrier height was then scaled to reproduce the value of 5.01 kcal/mol, which was estimated from coupled cluster benchmark calculations performed to include high-order and core-valence correlation, as well as scalar relativistic effects. The (3)A(') surface was also scaled, based on the fact that in the collinear saddle point geometry these two electronic states are degenerate. The vibrationally adiabatic barrier heights are 3.44 kcal/mol for the (3)A(') and 4.16 kcal/mol for the (3)A(') state.     

Accurate MRCI and CC study of the most relevant stationary points and other topographical attributes for the ground-state C(2)H(2) potential energy surface

Extensive ab initio calculations have been performed to determine the energy, geometry, vibrational frequencies, and relative energetics of all stationary points of the C(2)H(2) ground-state potential-energy surface. The geometries of acetylene and vinylidene minima as well as all transition states are reported at the CASSCF, MRCI, and CCSD(T) levels with aug-cc-pVXZ basis sets. Other more advanced levels of CC theory have also been utilized where judged adequate, mostly for check purposes. Also reported are theoretical limiting values of the energetics of the reaction, deduced from series of computations using the USTE extrapolation method. The data here reported should be valuable for modeling a single-sheeted global potential energy surface for the title system.     

Microwave spectrum and conformational composition of 1-vinylimidazole

The microwave spectrum of 1-vinylimidazole has been investigated in the 21-80 GHz spectral region. The spectra of two conformers have been assigned. One of these forms is planar, while the other is nonplanar with the imidazole ring and the vinyl group forming an angle of 15(4)° from coplanarity. The planar form is found to be 5.7(7) kJ/mol more stable than the nonplanar rotamer by relative intensity measurements. The spectra of 10 vibrationally excited states of the planar form and one excited-state spectrum of the nonplanar form were assigned. The vibrational frequencies of several of these states were determined by relative intensity measurements. The microwave work has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD/cc-pVTZ, MP2/cc-pVTZ, and B3LYP/cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The B3LYP calculations predict erroneously that both forms of 1-vinylimidazole are planar, whereas the MP2 and CCSD calculations correctly predict the existence of a planar and a nonplanar conformer of this compound.     

Basis set convergence of the coupled-cluster correction, δ(MP2)(CCSD(T)): best practices for benchmarking non-covalent interactions and the attendant revision of the S22, NBC10, HBC6, and HSG databases

In benchmark-quality studies of non-covalent interactions, it is common to estimate interaction energies at the complete basis set (CBS) coupled-cluster through perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] level of theory by adding to CBS second-order perturbation theory (MP2) a "coupled-cluster correction," δ(MP2)(CCSD(T)), evaluated in a modest basis set. This work illustrates that commonly used basis sets such as 6-31G*(0.25) can yield large, even wrongly signed, errors for δ(MP2)(CCSD(T)) that vary significantly by binding motif. Double-ζ basis sets show more reliable results when used with explicitly correlated methods to form a δ(MP2-F12)(CCSD(T(*))-F12) correction, yielding a mean absolute deviation of 0.11 kcal mol(-1) for the S22 test set. Examining the coupled-cluster correction for basis sets up to sextuple-ζ in quality reveals that δ(MP2)(CCSD(T)) converges monotonically only beyond a turning point at triple-ζ or quadruple-ζ quality. In consequence, CBS extrapolation of δ(MP2)(CCSD(T)) corrections before the turning point, generally CBS (aug-cc-pVDZ,aug-cc-pVTZ), are found to be unreliable and often inferior to aug-cc-pVTZ alone, especially for hydrogen-bonding systems. Using the findings of this paper, we revise some recent benchmarks for non-covalent interactions, namely the S22, NBC10, HBC6, and HSG test sets. The maximum differences in the revised benchmarks are 0.080, 0.060, 0.257, and 0.102 kcal mol(-1), respectively.     

Energetics, structures, bonding, and kinetics of the HSCl–HClS system

The [H,S,Cl] potential-energy surface has been investigated at the self-consistent field (SCF), complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF), second-order M?ller–Plesset, coupled-cluster single-double and perturbative triple excitation, [CCSD(T)]/6-31G(d,p), 6-31G(2df,2pd), and correlation-consistent polarized valence triple zeta (cc-pVTZ) levels of theory. CCSD(T)/ cc-pVTZ results predict a very stable HSCl species, an isomer HClS, 51.84 kcal/mol higher in energy, and a transition state 57.68 kcal/mol above HSCl. Independent of the level of theory, results with the smaller 6-31G(d,p) basis set turned out to be poor, especially for HClS. Vibrational analysis indicates that both species can be easily differentiated if isolated. Bonding differences between these molecules are illustrated by contour plots of valence orbitals. Viewed classically, bonding in HClS involves a dative bond. Transition-state rate constants, and equilibrium constants for the HSCl ↔ HClS isomerization have been estimated for various temperatures (200–1000 K). At 298.15 K, the forward rate is predicted to be 7.95 × 10⁻²⁹ s⁻¹, and the equilibrium constant to be 2.31 × 10⁻³⁸. Tunneling corrections vary from 1.57 at 298.15 K to 1.05 at 1000 K. Activation energies have been obtained by a two-points linear fit to the Arrhenius equation. Received: 7 May 1999 / Accepted: 22 July 1999 / Published online: 4 October 1999     

Theoretical study of the mechanism of NO2 production from NO + ClO

The reaction of NO with ClO has been studied theoretically using density-functional and wave function methods (B3LYP and CCSD(T)). Although a barrier for cis and trans additions could be located at the RCCSD(T) and UCCSD(T) levels, no barrier exists at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d) level. Variational transition state theory on a CASPT2(12,12)/ANO-L//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) surface was used to calculate the rate constants for addition. The rate constant for cis addition was faster than that for trans addition (cis:trans 1:0.76 at 298 K). The rate constant data summed for cis and trans addition in the range 200-1000 K were fit to a temperature-dependent rate in the form kdi) = 3.30 x 10(-13)T(0.558) exp(305/T) cm3.molecule(-1).s(-1), which is in good agreement with experiment. When the data are fit to an Arrhenius plot in the range 200-400 K, an activation barrier of -0.35 kcal/mol is obtained. The formation of ClNO2 from ONOCl has a much higher activation enthalpy from the trans isomer compared to the cis isomer. In fact, the preferred decomposition pathway from trans-ONOCl to NO2 + Cl is predicted to go through the cis-ONOCl intermediate. The trans --> cis isomerization rate constant is kiso = 1.92 x 10(13) exp(-4730/T) s(-1) using transition state theory.     

State of the art theoretical study and comparison to experiment for the phenol...argon complex

The phenol...argon complex was studied by means of various high level ab initio quantum mechanics methods and high resolution threshold ionization spectroscopy. The structure and stabilization energy of different conformers were determined. Stabilization energy of van der Waals bonded and H-bonded PhOH...Ar complex determined at CCSD(T) complete basis set (CBS) level for CP-RI-MP2/cc-pVTZ/Ar aug-cc-pVTZ geometries amount to 434 and 285 cm(-1). The CCSD(T)/CBS were constructed either as a sum of MP2/CBS interaction energy and CCSD(T) correction term [difference between CCSD(T) and MP2 correlation energies determined with medium basis set] or directly from CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ energies. Both schemes provide very similar values. Harmonic vibrational analysis revealed that the H-bonded structure does not represent energy minimum but first order transition structure. The respective imaginary vibrational mode (16 cm(-1)) connects two possible argon locations -- above and below the phenol aromatic ring. Including the DeltaZPVE, we obtained stabilization enthalpy at 0 K of 389 cm(-1). This value is marginally higher (25-35 cm(-1), 0.07-0.10 kcal/mol) than the experimental value. The determination of DeltaZPVE constitutes the most significant error and possible improvements should come from more accurate evaluation of the (nonharmonic) vibrational frequencies.     

Structure of the boronic acid dimer and the relative stabilities of its conformers

Despite the widespread use of boronic acids in materials science and as pharmaceutical agents, many aspects of their structure and reactivity are not well understood. In this research the boronic acid dimer, [HB(OH)(2)](2), was studied by second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory and coupled cluster methodology with single and double excitations (CCSD). Pople split-valence 6-31+G*, 6-311G**, and 6-311++G** and Dunning-Woon correlation-consistent cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVDZ, cc-pVTZ, and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets were employed for the calculations. A doubly hydrogen-bonded conformer (1) of the dimer was consistently found to be lowest in energy; the structure of 1 was planar (C(2h)) at most computational levels employed but was significantly nonplanar (C(2)) at the MP2/6-311++G** and CCSD/6-311++G** levels, the result of an intrinsic problem with Pople-type sp-diffuse basis functions on heavy atoms. The dimerization energy, enthalpy, and free energy for the formation of (1) from the exo-endo conformer of the monomer were -10.8, -9.2, and +1.2 kcal/mol, respectively, at the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Several other hydrogen-bonded conformers of the dimer were local minima on the potential energy surface (PES) and ranged from 2 to 5 kcal/mol higher in energy than 1. Nine doubly OH-bridged conformers, in which the boron atoms were tetracoordinated, were also local minima on the PES, but they were all greater than 13 kcal/mol higher in energy than 1; doubly H-bridged structures proved to be transition states. MP2 and CCSD results were compared to those from the BLYP, B3LYP, OLYP, O3LYP, PBE1PBE, and TPSS functionals with the 6-311++G** and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets; the PBE1PBE functional performed best relative to the MP2 and CCSD results. Self-consistent reaction field (SCRF) calculations predict that boronic acid dimerization is less favorable in solution than in vacuo.     

State-resolved unimolecular dissociation of cis-cis HOONO: Product state distributions and action spectrum in the 2nuOH band region

Nascent OH fragment product state distributions arising from unimolecular dissociation of room temperature HOONO, initiated by excitation in the region of the 2nu(OH) band, are probed using laser-induced fluorescence at sub-Doppler resolution. Phase-space simulations of the measured OH rotational distributions are consistent with the dissociation dynamics being statistical and confirm that all major features in the room temperature action spectrum belong to the cis-cis conformer. The phase-space simulations also allow us to estimate the HO-ONO bond dissociation energy of cis-cis HOONO to be D(0)=19.9+/-0.5 kcal/mol, which when combined with the known heat-of-formation data for the OH and NO(2) fragments gives DeltaH(f) (0)(cis-cis HOONO)=-2.5 kcal/mol. In addition to fragment energy release, spectral features in the cis-cis HOONO action spectrum are examined with respect to their shifts upon (15)N isotope substitution and through ab initio spectral simulation using a two-dimensional dipole surface that takes into account the influence of HOON torsional motion on the OH stretching overtone. The two-dimensional spectral simulations, using CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ dipole surface, qualitatively reproduces features appearing in the action spectrum and suggest that the strong broad feature occurring approximately 570 cm(-1) to the blue of the cis-cis HOONO 2nu(OH) peak, likely involve excitation of HOON-torsion/OH-stretch combination bands originating from thermally populated excited torsional states. A closer examination of the predictions of the two-dimensional model with experiments also reveals its limitations and suggests that a more elaborate treatment, one which includes several additional modes, will likely be required in order to fully explain the room temperature action spectrum. Ab initio calculations of the HOON torsional potential at the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level of theory are also presented and confirm that cis-perp configuration does not correspond to a bound localized minimum on the HOONO potential energy surface.     

The extremely flat torsional potential energy surface of oxalyl chloride

The conformational behavior of oxalyl chloride has been investigated using ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) and second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theories, and the coupled-cluster singles and doubles method appended with a perturbative inclusion of connected triple excitations [CCSD(T)]. Correlation consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta (cc-pVQZ) and quintuple-zeta (cc-pV5Z) basis sets were used in this research. At the cc-pVQZ and cc-pV5Z HF levels, there is no stationary point corresponding to a stable gauche conformer. On the other hand, at the cc-pVQZ and cc-pV5Z MP2 levels and with the cc-pVQZ CCSD(T) method, the gauche conformer of oxalyl chloride was found at O[Double Bond]C-C[Double Bond]O dihedral angles of 81.9 degrees , 79.4 degrees , and 83.4 degrees , respectively. At the cc-pV5Z MP2 level, the energy barrier from trans to gauche was predicted to be 0.74 kcal mol(-1) and that from gauche to trans to be 0.09 kcal mol(-1). Thus, the potential-energy surface along the O[Double Bond]C-C[Double Bond]O torsional mode is exceedingly flat. The existence of the gauche conformation is mainly due to the minimization of steric repulsion.     

Theoretical characterization of the SiC3H- anion

Highly correlated ab initio methods are used to predict the equilibrium structures and spectroscopic parameters of the SiC(3)H(-) anion. The total energies and physical properties are reported using CASSCF/MRCI, RCCSD(T), and RCCSD(T)-F12 approaches and extended basis sets. The search of stable geometries leads to a total of 12 isomers (4 linear and 8 cyclic), for which electronic ground states have close-shell configurations. The stability of the linear form, l-SiC(3)H(-), is prominent. For the most stable linear isomer, the B(e) equilibrium rotational constant has been calculated with RCCSD(T) and a complete basis set. Core-correlation and vibrational effects have been taken into account to predict a B(0) of 2621.68 MHz for l-SiC(3)H(-) and 2460.48 MHz for l-SiC(3)D(-). The dipole moment of l-SiC(3)H(-) was found to be 2.9707 D with CASSCF/aug-cc-pV5Z and the electron affinity to be 2.7 eV with RCCSD(T)-F12A/aug-cc-pVTZ. Anharmonic spectroscopic parameters are derived from a quadratic, cubic, and quartic RCCSD(T)-F12A force field and second order perturbation theory. CASSCF/MRCI vertical excitations supply three metastable electronic states, (1)Σ(+) (3)Σ(+) and (3)Δ. Electron affinities calculated for a series of chains type SiC(n)H and SiC(n) (n=1-5) allow us to discuss the anion formation probabilities.     

HNNC radical and its role in the CH+N2 reaction

A previously unreported channel in the spin-allowed reaction path for the CH+N2 reaction that involves the HNNC radical is presented. The structures and energetics of the HNNC radical and its isomers HCNN and HNCN and the relevant intermediates and transition states that are involved in the proposed mechanism are obtained at the coupled cluster singles and doubles level of theory with noniterative triples correction (CCSD(T)) using a converging series of basis sets aug-cc-pVDZ, aug-cc-pVTZ, and aug-cc-pVQZ. The aug-cc-pVQZ basis is used for all the final single point energy calculations using the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ optimized geometries. We find the HNNC radical to have a heat of formation of DeltafH0 (HNNC)=116.5 kcal mol(-1). An assessment of the quality of computed data of the radical species HNCN and HCNN is presented by comparison with the available experimental data. We find that HNNC can convert to HNCN, the highest barrier in this path being 14.5 kcal mol(-1) above the energy of the CH+N2 reactants. Thus, HNNC can play a role in the high-temperature spin-allowed mechanism for the reaction of CH+N2 proposed by Moskaleva, Xia, and Lin (Chem. Phys. Lett. 2000, 331, 269).     

Ab initio study of the electronic structure of manganese carbide

We report electronic structure calculations on 13 states of the experimentally unknown manganese carbide (MnC) using standard multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) methods coupled with high quality basis sets. For all states considered we have constructed full potential energy curves and calculated zero point energies. The X state, correlating to ground state atoms, is of 4sigma- symmetry featuring three bonds, with a recommended dissociation energy of D0 = 70.0 kcal/mol and r(e) = 1.640 angstroms. The first and second excited states, which also correlate to ground state atoms, are of 6sigma- and 8sigma- symmetry, respectively, and lie 17.7 and 28.2 kcal/mol above the X state at the MRCI level of theory.