Efficiency of numerical basis sets for predicting the binding energies of hydrogen bonded complexes: evidence of small basis set superposition error compared to Gaussian basis sets

Binding energies of selected hydrogen bonded complexes have been calculated within the framework of density functional theory (DFT) method to discuss the efficiency of numerical basis sets implemented in the DFT code DMol3 in comparison with Gaussian basis sets. The corrections of basis set superposition error (BSSE) are evaluated by means of counterpoise method. Two kinds of different numerical basis sets in size are examined; the size of the one is comparable to Gaussian double zeta plus polarization function basis set (DNP), and that of the other is comparable to triple zeta plus double polarization functions basis set (TNDP). We have confirmed that the magnitudes of BSSE in these numerical basis sets are comparative to or smaller than those in Gaussian basis sets whose sizes are much larger than the corresponding numerical basis sets; the BSSE corrections in DNP are less than those in the Gaussian 6-311+G(3df,2pd) basis set, and those in TNDP are comparable to those in the substantially large scale Gaussian basis set aug-cc-pVTZ. The differences in counterpoise corrected binding energies between calculated using DNP and calculated using aug-cc-pVTZ are less than 9 kJ/mol for all of the complexes studied in the present work. The present results have shown that the cost effectiveness in the numerical basis sets in DMol3 is superior to that in Gaussian basis sets in terms of accuracy per computational cost.     

Auxiliary basis sets for density‐fitting second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory: Weighted core‐valence correlation consistent basis sets for the 4d elements Y–Pd

Auxiliary basis sets (ABS) specifically matched to the cc‐pwCVnZ‐PP and aug‐cc‐pwCVnZ‐PP orbital basis sets (OBS) have been developed and optimized for the 4d elements Y‐Pd at the second‐order Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory level. Calculation of the core‐valence electron correlation energies for small to medium sized transition metal complexes demonstrates that the error due to the use of these new sets in density fitting is three to four orders of magnitude smaller than that due to the OBS incompleteness, and hence is considered negligible. Utilizing the ABSs in the resolution‐of‐the‐identity component of explicitly correlated calculations is also investigated, where it is shown that i‐type functions are important to produce well‐controlled errors in both integrals and correlation energy. Benchmarking at the explicitly correlated coupled cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations level indicates impressive convergence with respect to basis set size for the spectroscopic constants of 4d monofluorides; explicitly correlated double‐ζ calculations produce results close to conventional quadruple‐ζ, and triple‐ζ is within chemical accuracy of the complete basis set limit. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Accurate calculations of dynamic first hyperpolarizability: Construction of physically justified slater‐type basis sets

An efficient procedure for construction of physically rationalized Slater‐type basis sets for calculations of dynamic hyperpolarizability is proposed. Their performance is evaluated for the DFT level calculations for model molecules, carried out with a series of functionals. Advantages of new basis sets over standard d‐aug‐cc‐pVTZ and recently developed LPOL‐(FL,FS) Gaussian‐type basis sets are discussed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Consistent Gaussian basis sets of triple‐zeta valence with polarization quality for solid‐state calculations

Consistent basis sets of triple‐zeta valence with polarization quality for main group elements and transition metals from row one to three have been derived for periodic quantum‐chemical solid‐state calculations with the crystalline‐orbital program CRYSTAL. They are based on the def2‐TZVP basis sets developed for molecules by the Ahlrichs group. Orbital exponents and contraction coefficients have been modified and reoptimized, to provide robust and stable self‐consistant field (SCF) convergence for a wide range of different compounds. We compare results on crystal structures, cohesive energies, and solid‐state reaction enthalpies with the modified basis sets, denoted as pob‐TZVP, with selected standard basis sets available from the CRYSTAL basis set database. The average deviation of calculated lattice parameters obtained with a selected density functional, the hybrid method PW1PW, from experimental reference is smaller with pob‐TZVP than with standard basis sets, in particular for metallic systems. The effects of basis set expansion by diffuse and polarization functions were investigated for selected systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Gaussian basis sets for molecular applications

The choice of basis set in quantum chemical calculations can have a huge impact on the quality of the results, especially for correlated ab initio methods. This article provides an overview of the development of Gaussian basis sets for molecular calculations, with a focus on four popular families of modern atom‐centered, energy‐optimized bases: atomic natural orbital, correlation consistent, polarization consistent, and def2. The terminology used for describing basis sets is briefly covered, along with an overview of the auxiliary basis sets used in a number of integral approximation techniques and an outlook on possible future directions of basis set design. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Assessment of density functional methods for reaction energetics: Iridium‐catalyzed water oxidation as case study

We investigate basis set convergence for a series of density functional theory (DFT) functionals (both hybrid and nonhybrid) and compare to coupled‐cluster with single and double excitations and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] benchmark calculations. The case studied is the energetics of the water oxidation reaction by an iridium‐oxo complex. Complexation energies for the reactants and products complexes as well as the transition state (TS) energy are considered. Contrary to the expectation of relatively weak basis set dependence for DFT, the basis set effects are large, for example, more than 10 kcal mol^?1 difference from converged basis for the activation energy with “small” basis sets (DZ/6‐31G** for Ir/other atoms, or SVP) and still more than 6 kcal mol^?1 for def2‐TZVPP/6‐31G**. Inclusion of the dispersion correction in DFT‐D3 schemes affects the energies of reactant complex (RC), TS, and product complex (PC) by almost the same amount; it significantly improves the complexation energy (the formation of RC), but has little effect on the activation energy with respect to RC. With converged basis, some pure GGAs (PBE‐D3, BP86‐D3) as well as the hybrid functional B3LYP‐D3 are very accurate compared to benchmark CCSD(T) calculations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

An improved generator coordinate Hartree–Fock method applied to the choice of contracted Gaussian basis sets for first‐row diatomic molecules

Accurate Gaussian basis sets (18s for Li and Be and 20s11p for the atoms from B to Ne) for the first‐row atoms, generated with an improved generator coordinate Hartree–Fock method, were contracted and enriched with polarization functions. These basis sets were tested for B₂, C₂, BeO, CN⁻, LiF, N₂, CO, BF, NO⁺, O₂, and F₂. At the Hartree–Fock (HP), second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2), fourth‐order Møller–Plesset (MP4), and density functional theory (DFT) levels, the dipole moments, bond lengths, and harmonic vibrational frequencies were studied, and at the MP2, MP4, and DFT levels, the dissociation energies were evaluated and compared with the corresponding experimental values and with values obtained using other contracted Gaussian basis sets and numerical HF calculations. For all diatomic molecules studied, the differences between our total energies, obtained with the largest contracted basis set [6s5p3d1f], and those calculated with the numerical HF methods were always less than 3.2 mhartree. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 78: 15–23, 2000     

Convergence of third order correlation energy in atoms and molecules

We have investigated the convergence of third order correlation energy within the hierarchies of correlation consistent basis sets for helium, neon, and water, and for three stationary points of hydrogen peroxide. This analysis confirms that singlet pair energies converge much slower than triplet pair energies. In addition, singlet pair energies with (aug)-cc-pVDZ and (aug)-cc-pVTZ basis sets do not follow a converging trend and energies with three basis sets larger than aug-cc-pVTZ are generally required for reliable extrapolations of third order correlation energies, making so the explicitly correlated R12 calculations preferable.     

Accurate ab initio binding energies of alkaline earth metal clusters

The effects of basis set superposition error (BSSE) and core-correlation on the electronic binding energies of alkaline earth metal clusters Y(n) (Y = Be, Mg, Ca; n = 2-4) at the Moller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) and the single and double coupled cluster method with perturbative triples correction (CCSD(T)) levels are examined using the correlation consistent basis sets cc-pVXZ and cc-pCVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5). It is found that, while BSSE has a negligible effect for valence-electron-only-correlated calculations for most basis sets, its magnitude becomes more pronounced for all-electron-correlated calculations, including core electrons. By utilizing the negligible effect of BSSE on the binding energies for valence-electron-only-correlated calculations, in combination with the negligible core-correlation effect at the CCSD(T) level, accurate binding energies of these clusters up to pentamers (octamers in the case of the Be clusters) are estimated via the basis set extrapolation of ab initio CCSD(T) correlation energies of the monomer and cluster with only the cc-pVDZ and cc-pVTZ sets, using the basis set and correlation-dependent extrapolation formula recently devised. A comparison between the CCSD(T) and density functional theory (DFT) binding energies is made to identify the most appropriate DFT method for the study of these clusters.     

Consistent gaussian basis sets of double‐ and triple‐zeta valence with polarization quality of the fifth period for solid‐state calculations

Consistent basis sets of double‐ and triple‐zeta valence with polarization quality for the fifth period have been derived for periodic quantum‐chemical solid‐state calculations with the crystalline‐orbital program CRYSTAL. They are an extension of the pob‐TZVP basis sets, and are based on the full‐relativistic effective core potentials (ECPs) of the Stuttgart/Cologne group and on the def2‐SVP and def2‐TZVP valence basis of the Ahlrichs group. We optimized orbital exponents and contraction coefficients to supply robust and stable self‐consistent field (SCF) convergence for a wide range of different compounds. The computed crystal structures are compared to those obtained with standard basis sets available from the CRYSTAL basis set database. For the applied hybrid density functional PW1PW, the average deviations of calculated lattice constants from experimental references are smaller with pob‐DZVP and pob‐TZVP than with standard basis sets. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Improved efficiency of focal point conformational analysis with truncated correlation consistent basis sets

It has been suggested that the computational cost of correlated ab initio calculations could be reduced efficiently by using truncated basis sets on hydrogen atoms (Mintz et al., J Chem Phys 2004, 121, 5629). We now explore this proposal in the context of conformational analysis of small molecules, such as hydrogen peroxide, dimethyl ether, ethyl methyl ether, formic acid, methyl formate, and several small alcohols. It is found that truncated correlation consistent basis sets that lack certain higher angular momentum functions on hydrogen atoms offer accuracy similar to traditional Dunning's basis sets for conformational analysis. Combination of such basis sets with the basis set extrapolation technique to estimate Hartree-Fock and M?ller-Plesset second order energies provides composite extrapolation model chemistries that are significantly more accurate and faster than analogous single point calculations with traditional correlation consistent basis sets. Root mean square errors of best composite extrapolation model chemistries on the used set of molecules are within 0.03 kcal/mol of traditional focal point conformational energies. The applicability of composite extrapolation methods is illustrated by performing conformational analysis of tert-butanol and cyclohexanol. For comparison, conformational energies calculated with popular molecular mechanics force fields are also given.     

Ab initio investigation of ground‐state properties of group‐12 fluorides

The performance of wavefunction‐based correlation methods in theoretical solid‐state chemistry depends on reliable Hartree–Fock (HF) results for infinitly extended systems. Therefore, we optimized basis sets of valence‐triple‐ζ quality based on HF calculations for the periodic system of group‐12‐metal difluorides. Scalar‐relativistic effects were included in the case of the metal‐ions by applying small‐core pseudopotentials. To assess the quality of the proposed basis sets, the structural parameters, bulk moduli as well as cohesive and lattice energies of the systems were evaluated at the HF and the density functional theory levels. In addition to these two mean‐field approaches and to assess further employment of our basis sets to wavefunction‐based correlation methods we performed periodic local MP2 computations. Finally, the possibilities of pressure induced structural phase transitions occurring in the ZnF₂, CdF₂, and HgF₂ were investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Counterpoise correction is not useful for short and Van der Waals distances but may be useful at long range

This article investigates the errors in supermolecule calculations for the helium dimer. In a full CI calculation, there are two errors. One is the basis set superposition error (BSSE), the other is the basis set convergence error (BSCE). Both of the errors arise from the incompleteness of the basis set. These two errors make opposite contributions to the interaction energies. The BSCE is by far the largest error in the short range and larger than (but much closer to) BSSE around the Van der Waals minimum. Only at the long range, the BSSE becomes the larger error. The BSCE and BSSE largely cancel each other over the Van der Waals well. Accordingly, it may be recommended to not include the BSSE for the calculation of the potential energy curve from short distance till well beyond the Van der Waals minimum, but it may be recommended to include the BSSE correction if an accurate tail behavior is required. Only if the calculation has used a very large basis set, one can refrain from including the counterpoise correction in the full potential range. These results are based on full CI calculations with the aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5) basis sets.     

Compatibility of correlation‐consistent basis sets with a hybrid Hartree–Fock/density functional method

The present study examines the feasibility of combining the correlation‐consistent basis sets developed by Dunning and coworkers with the hybrid Hartree–Fock/density functional method B3LYP. Furthermore, extrapolation to the complete basis set (CBS) limit minimizes errors due to the presence of an incomplete basis set and can act as a rigorous test of the limitations of the B3LYP method. Equilibrium geometries, energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies were determined for a series of well‐studied, yet computationally challenging, small inorganics and their respective ions. The results were then extrapolated to the CBS limit, where applicable, and compared to experiment. It was found that a union between the hybrid Hartree–Fock/density functional B3LYP method and Dunning's augmented correlation‐consistent basis sets gave results that were comparable to molecular orbital methods that explicitly account for electron correlation. Furthermore, the minimum basis set necessary to attain reasonable results for the systems studied was aug‐cc‐pVTZ. Upgrading to the aug‐cc‐pVQZ level and subsequent extrapolation to the CBS limit further improved the overall agreement with the experiment. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 20: 207–216, 1999     

Polarization functions for the modified m6‐31G basis sets for atoms Ga through Kr

The 2df polarization functions for the modified m6‐31G basis sets of the third‐row atoms Ga through Kr (Int J Quantum Chem, 2007, 107, 3028; Int J. Quantum Chem, 2009, 109, 1158) are proposed. The performances of the m6‐31G, m6‐31G(d,p), and m6‐31G(2df,p) basis sets were examined in molecular calculations carried out by the density functional theory (DFT) method with B3LYP hybrid functional, Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory of the second order (MP2), quadratic configuration interaction method with single and double substitutions and were compared with those for the known 6‐31G basis sets as well as with the other similar 641 and 6‐311G basis sets with and without polarization functions. Obtained results have shown that the performances of the m6‐31G, m6‐31G(d,p), and m6‐31G(2df,p) basis sets are better in comparison with the performances of the known 6‐31G, 6‐31G(d,p) and 6‐31G(2df,p) basis sets. These improvements are mainly reached due to better approximations of different electrons belonging to the different atomic shells in the modified basis sets. Applicability of the modified basis sets in thermochemical calculations is also discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Intermolecular potentials of the silane dimer calculated with Hartree-Fock theory, Møller-Plesset perturbation theory, and density functional theory

We have calculated the intermolecular interaction potentials of the silane dimer at the D3d conformation using the Hartree-Fock (HF) self-consistent theory, the correlation-corrected second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory, and the density functional theory (DFT) with 108 functionals chosen from the combinations of 9 exchange and 12 correlation functionals. Single-point coupled cluster [CCSD(T)] calculations have also been carried out to calibrate the correlation effect. The HF calculations yield unbound potentials largely because of the exchange-repulsion interaction. In the MP2 calculations, the basis set effects on the repulsion exponent, the equilibrium bond length, the binding energy, and the asymptotic behavior of the calculated intermolecular potentials have been thoroughly studied. We have employed basis sets from the Slater type orbitals fitted with Gaussian functions (STO-nG, n = 3 approximately 6), Pople's medium size basis sets [up to 6-311++G(3df,3pd)], to Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets (cc-pVXZ and aug-cc-pVXZ, X = D, T, Q). With increasing basis size, the repulsion exponent and the equilibrium bond length converge at the 6-31G** basis set and the 6-311++G(3d,3p) basis set, respectively, while a large basis set (aug-cc-pVTZ) is required to converge the binding energy at a chemical accuracy ( approximately 0.05 kcal/mol). Up to the largest basis set used, the asymptotic dispersion coefficient has not converged to the expected C6 value from molecular polarizability calculations. We attribute the slow convergence partly to the inefficacy of using the MP2 calculations with Gaussian type functions to model the asymptotic behavior. Both the basis set superposition error (BSSE) corrected and uncorrected results are presented to emphasize the importance of including such corrections. Only the BSSE corrected results systematically converge to the expected potential curve with increasing basis size. The DFT calculations generate a wide range of interaction patterns, from purely unbound to strongly bound, underestimating or overestimating the binding energy. The binding energies calculated using the OPTXHCTH147, PBEVP86, PBEP86, PW91TPSS, PW91PBE, and PW91PW91 functionals and the equilibrium bond lengths calculated using the MPWHCTH93, TPSSHCTH, PBEVP86, PBEP86, PW91TPSS, PW91PBE, and PW91PW91 functionals are close to the MP2 results using the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set. A correlation between the calculated DFT potentials and the exchange and correlation enhancement factors at the low-density region has been elucidated. The asymptotic behaviors of the DFT potentials are also analyzed.     

BSSE‐corrected geometry and harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies of formamide–water and formamide–formamide dimers

The basis set superposition error (BSSE) influence in the geometry structure, interaction energies, and intermolecular harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies of cyclic formamide–formamide and formamide–water dimers have been studied using different basis sets (6‐31G, 6‐31G**, 6‐31++G**, D95V, D95V**, and D95V++**). The a posteriori “counterpoise” (CP) correction scheme has been compared with the a priori “chemical Hamiltonian approach” (CHA) both at the Hartree–Fock (HF) and second‐order Møller–Plesset many‐body perturbation (MP2) levels of theory. The effect of BSSE on geometrical parameters, interaction energies, and intermolecular harmonic vibrational frequencies are discussed and compared with the existing experimental data. As expected, the BSSE‐free CP and CHA interaction energies usually show less deep minima than those obtained from the uncorrected methods at both the HF and MP2 levels. Focusing on the correlated level, the amount of BSSE in the intermolecular interaction energies is much larger than that at the HF level, and this effect is also conserved in the values of the force constants and harmonic vibrational frequencies. All these results clearly indicate the importance of the proper BSSE‐free correlation treatment with the well‐defined basis functions. At the same time, the results show a good agreement between the a priori CHA and a posteriori CP correction scheme; this agreement is remarkable in the case of large and well‐balanced basis sets. The anharmonic frequency correction values also show an important BSSE dependence, especially for hydrogen bond stretching and for low frequencies belonging to the intermolecular normal modes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Comparison of basis set superposition error corrected perturbation theories for calculating intermolecular interaction energies

Recently, two different but conceptually similar basis set superposition error (BSSE) free second‐order perturbation theoretical schemes were developed by us that are being based on the chemical Hamiltonian approach (CHA). Using these CHA‐MP2 and CHA‐PT2 methods, a comparison is made between the a posteriori and a priori BSSE correction schemes at the correlated level. Sample calculations are presented for four hydrogen bonded complexes (HFH₃N, HFH₂O, H₂SHF, and H₂OHCl) in nine different basis sets (from 6–31G to TZV**++). The results show that the BSSE content is very significant in the interaction energy if electron correlation is accounted for, so removing the BSSE is very important. The differences of the two perturbational theories discussed are connected solely with the different one electron orbital sets used for building up the unperturbed single determinant wave function. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 20: 274–283, 1999     

Efficient polarized basis sets for evaluation of static and dynamic molecular electric properties

New medium size Gaussian‐type basis set R‐ORP for evaluation of static and dynamic electric properties in molecular systems is presented. It is obtained in a close resemblance to the original ORP basis set, from the source basis set through addition of two first‐order polarization functions whose exponent values are optimized with respect to the finite field restricted open‐shell Hartree–Fock (ROHF) atomic polarizabilities. As the source set the VTZ basis set of Ahlrichs and coworkers, augmented with additional diffuse functions and contracted to the form [6s/3s] for hydrogen and [11s7p/4s3p] for carbon through fluorine, is chosen. The resulting basis set is of the form [6s2p/3s2p] for hydrogen and [11s7p2d/4s3p2d] for other atoms. Presented basis set is next tested in the CCSD static and dynamic molecular polarizability and hyperpolarizability calculations for a set of ten and four test molecules, respectively, for which very accurate reference data exist. Additionally, the recently developed ORP basis set is employed in the calculations to examine the limits of its applicability. Results are compared to the literature data obtained in both, large and diffuse, as well as reduced‐size basis sets. In the case of polarizability calculations, the aug‐pc‐1 and R‐ORP are the optimal choices among the investigated smaller basis sets, with the overall performance of the aug‐pc‐1 set being better. Among the larger sets, the ORP performs better in the case of average polarizability, while the RMSE values for polarizability anisotropy are practically identical for d‐aug‐cc‐pVDZ and ORP sets. Finally, the R‐ORP and ORP basis sets compete other small bases in the evaluation of the first hyperpolarizability in investigated systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Revisiting the extrapolation of correlation energies to complete basis set limit

The extrapolation scheme of correlation energy is revisited to evaluate the complete basis set limit from double‐zeta (DZ) and triple‐zeta levels of calculations. The DZ level results are adjusted to the standard asymptotic behavior with respect to the cardinal number, observed at the higher levels of basis sets. Two types of adjusting schemes with effective scaling factors, which recover errors in extrapolations with the DZ level basis set, are examined. The first scheme scales the cardinal number for the DZ level energy, while the second scheme scales the prefactor of the extrapolation function. Systematic assessments on the Gaussian‐3X and Gaussian‐2 test sets reveal that these calibration schemes successfully and drastically reduce errors without additional computational efforts. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.