Structural and vibrational analysis of the OH torsional motion in difluorohydroxyborane

In this work, we present a complete structural and vibrational analysis of the OH torsional motion in difluorohydroxyborane (BF₂OH) at the HF/aug‐cc‐pVTZ, MP2(full)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ, and CCSD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ theory levels. After full relaxation of the geometry, the equilibrium structure is found in a planar conformation of C_s symmetry. The difference in the two BF distances suggests the existence of a nonbonded interaction between the fluorine and oxygen atoms. The structural and energetic variation of BF₂OH as a function of the OH torsional angle is considered. The torsional barrier, at the CCSD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level, and including the effect of the zero‐point energy of the remaining vibrations, is found 2,728 cm^?1. In addition, an anharmonic Hamiltonian for the OH torsional mode is presented and variationally solved. To simplify the treatment and to classify the energy levels, BF₂OH is classified under a G₄ nonrigid group accounting for the inversion symmetry of the molecule and the interchange of the fluorine atoms. The computed torsional energy levels exhibit a very small inversion splitting. The torsional spectrum is simulated considering the dipole moment components along the principal axes of inertia as an explicit function of the torsional coordinate. We observe three dominant bands in the spectrum formed by doublets corresponding to ν₉ = 0 → 1, 2 transitions. The fundamental is an a‐type, Franck–Condon, transition. This is the strongest and appears at 466.80 cm^?1 with relative intensity 0.4312. The ν₉ = 0 → 2 bands correspond to doublets of b‐ and c‐type, i.e., Herzberg–Teller transitions. These are two overlapping bands found at 890.92 and 890.94 cm^?1 with intensity 0.2207 for the b‐type band and 0.2193 for the c‐type band. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Computational thermochemistry of glycolaldehyde

We use a variant of the focal point analysis to refine estimates of the relative energies of the four low‐energy torsional conformers of glycolaldehyde. The most stable form is the cis‐cis structure which enjoys a degree of H‐bonding from hydroxyl H to carbonyl O; here dihedral angles τ₁ (O?C? C? O) and τ₂ (C? C? O? H) both are zero. We optimized structures in both CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ; the structures agree within 0.01 Å for bond lengths and 1.0 degrees for valence angles, but the larger basis brings the rotational constants closer to experimental values. According to our extrapolation of CCSD(T) energies evaluated in basis sets ranging to aug‐cc‐pVQZ the trans‐trans form (180°, 180°) has a relative energy of 12.6 kJ/mol. The trans‐gauche conformer (160°, ±75°) is situated at 13.9 kJ/mol and the cis‐trans form (0°, 180°) at 18.9 kJ/mol. Values are corrected for zero point vibrational energy by MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ frequencies. Modeling the vibrational spectra is best accomplished by MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ with anharmonic corrections. We compute the Watsonian parameters that define the theoretical vibrational‐rotational spectra for the four stable conformers, to assist the search for these species in the interstellar medium. Six transition states are located by G4 and CBS‐QB3 methods as well as extrapolation using energies for structures optimized in CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ structures. We use two isodesmic reactions with two well‐established thermochemical computational schemes G4 and CBS‐QB3 to estimate energy enthalpy and Gibbs energy of formation as well as the entropy of the gas phase system. Our extrapolated electronic energies of species appearing in the isodesmic reactions produce independent values of thermodynamic quantities consistent with G4 and CBS‐QB3. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Theoretical Study of the Kinetics of the Hydrogen Atom Abstraction Reactions from Cyclopropane by H,O (3P), and Cl (2P3/2) Atoms and OH Radicals

The rate constants of the H‐abstraction reactions from cyclopropane by H, O (³P), Cl (²P_3/2), and OH radicals have been calculated over the temperature range of 250?2500 K using two different levels of theory. Calculations of optimized geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies are performed using the MP2 method combined with the cc‐pVTZ basis set and the 6–311++G(d,p) basis set. Single‐point energy calculations have been carried out with the highly correlated ab initio coupled cluster method in the space of single, double, and triple (perturbatively) electron excitations CCSD(T) using either the cc‐pVTZ, aug‐cc‐pVTZ, and aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis sets or the 6–311++G(3df,3pd) basis set. The CCSD(T) calculated potential energies have been extrapolated to the complete basis limit (CBS) limit. The Full Configuration Interaction (FCI) energies have been also estimated using the continued‐fraction approximation as proposed by Goodson (J. Chem. Phys., 2002, 116, 6948–6956). Canonical transition‐state theory combined with an Eckart tunneling correction has been used to predict the rate constants as a function of temperature using two kinetic models (direct abstraction or complex mechanism) at two levels of theory (CCSD(T)‐cf/CBS//MP2/cc‐pVTZ and CCSD(T)‐cf/6–311++G(3df,3pd)//MP2/6–311++G(d,p)). The calculated kinetic parameters are in reasonable agreement with their literature counterparts for all reactions. In the light of these trends, the use of the Pople‐style basis sets for studying the reactivity of other systems such as larger cycloalkanes or halogenated cycloalkanes is recommended because the 6–311++G(3df,3pd) basis set is less time consuming than the aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis set. Based on our calculations performed at the CCSD(T)‐cf/CBS//MP2/cc‐pVTZ level of theory, the standard enthalpy of formation at 298 K for the cyclopropyl radical has been reassessed and its value is (290.5 ± 1.6) kJ mol^?1.     

Improving on equilibrium isotropic nuclear shielding constants

Isotropic nuclear shielding constants at the equilibrium molecular structure σ_eq and zero‐point vibrational corrections (ZPVCs) to σ_eq are evaluated using the B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory, as well as the KT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory. Various scaling factors and systematic corrections are obtained by linear regression to experimental shielding constants. Comparisons of the scaled and systematically corrected equilibrium and vibrationally averaged shielding constants reveal that, at the 99% confidence level, the ZPVCs via second‐order perturbation theory do not improve the agreement of B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and KT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ calculated shielding constants with experiment. This holds true when the same analysis is applied to CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pCV[TQ]Z calculated σ_eq of Teale et al. [Journal of Chemical Physics 2013, 138, 024111]. In addition, at the 99% confidence level, B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and KT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ scaled and systematically corrected shielding constants are found to be statistically no different from CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pCV[TQ]Z calculated σ_eq. The use of scaling factors and systematic corrections could thus provide a cheaper but yet reasonably accurate alternative for the study of nuclear shielding constants of larger systems.     

Nonempirical calculations of the one‐bond 29Si–13C spin–spin coupling constants taking into account relativistic and solvent corrections

The computational study of the one‐bond ²⁹Si–¹³C spin–spin coupling constants has been performed at the second‐order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) level in the series of 60 diverse silanes with a special focus on the main factors affecting the accuracy of the calculation including the level of theory, the quality of the basis set, and the contribution of solvent and relativistic effects. Among three SOPPA‐based methods, SOPPA(MP2), SOPPA(CC2), and SOPPA(CCSD), the best result was achieved with SOPPA(CCSD) when used in combination with Sauer's basis set aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J characterized by the mean absolute error of calculated coupling constants against the experiment of ca 2 Hz in the range of ca 200 Hz. The SOPPA(CCSD)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J method is recommended as the most accurate and effective computational scheme for the calculation of ¹J(Si,C). The slightly less accurate but essentially more economical SOPPA(MP2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J and/or SOPPA(CC2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J methods are recommended for larger molecular systems. It was shown that solvent and relativistic corrections do not play a major role in the computation of the total values of ¹J(Si,C); however, taking them into account noticeably improves agreement with the experiment. The rovibrational corrections are estimated to be of about 1 Hz or 1–1.5% of the total value of ¹J(Si,C). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

IR Low‐Temperature Matrix and ab Initio Study on β‐Alanine Conformers

For the first time the argon‐matrix low‐temperature FTIR spectra of β‐alanine are recorded. They reveal a quite complicated spectral pattern which suggests the presence of several β‐alanine conformers in the matrix. To interpret the spectra, the eighteen β‐alanine conformers, stable in the gas phase, are estimated at the B3LYP and MP2 levels combined with the aug‐cc‐pVDZ. Ten low‐energy structures are reoptimized at the QCISD/aug‐cc‐pVDZ and B3LYP and MP2 levels by using the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets. Assignment of the experimental spectra is undertaken on the basis of the calculated B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVDZ anharmonic IR frequencies as well as careful estimation of the conformer population. The presence of at least three β‐alanine conformers is demonstrated. The detailed analysis of IR spectra points to the possible presence of five additional β‐alanine conformers.     

Effects of Aromatic Fluorine Substitution on Protonated Neurotransmitters: The Case of 2‐Phenylethylamine

Fluorination of pharmaceutical compounds is a common tool to modulate their physiochemical properties. We determine the effects of site‐specific aromatic fluorine substitution on the geometric, energetic, vibrational, and electronic properties of the protonated neurotransmitter 2‐phenylethylamine (xF‐H⁺PEA, x=ortho, meta, para) by infrared multiphoton photodissociation (IRMPD) in the fingerprint range (600–1750 cm^?1) and quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP‐D3/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. The IRMPD spectra of all ions are assigned to their folded gauche conformers stabilized by intramolecular NH⁺???π hydrogen bonds (H‐bonds) between the protonated amino group and the aromatic ring. H→F substitution reduces the symmetry and allows for additional NH⁺???F interactions in oF‐H⁺PEA, leading to three distinct gauche conformers. In comparison to oF‐H⁺PEA, the fluorination effects on the energy landscape (energy ordering and isomerization barriers) in pF‐H⁺PEA and mF‐H⁺PEA with one and two gauche conformers are less pronounced. The strengths of the intramolecular NH⁺???F and NH⁺???π bonds are analyzed by the noncovalent interaction (NCI) method.     

Ab initio calculations of the Ar–ethane intermolecular potential energy surface using bond function basis sets

The intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) of argon with ethane has been studied by ab initio calculations at the levels of second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation (MP2) theory and coupled‐cluster theory with single, double, and noniterative triple configurations (CCSD(T)) using a series of augmented correlation‐consistent basis sets. Two sets of bond functions, bf1 (3s3p2d) and bf2 (6s6p4d2f), have been added to the basis sets to show a dramatic and systematic improvement in the convergence of the entire PES. The PES of Ar–ethane is characterized by a global minimum at a near T‐shaped configuration with a well depth of 0.611 kcal mol^?1, a second minimum at a collinear configuration with a well depth of 0.456 kcal mol^?1, and a saddle point connecting the two minima. It is shown that an augmented correlation‐consistent basis set with a set of bond functions, either bf1 or bf2, can effectively produce results equivalent to the next larger augmented correlation‐consistent basis set, that is, aug‐cc‐pVDZ‐bf1 ≈ aug‐cc‐pVTZ, aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐bf1 ≈ aug‐cc‐pVQZ. Very importantly, the use of bond functions improves the PES globally, resulting accurate potential anisotropy. Finally, MP2 method is inadequate for accurate calculations, because it gives a potentially overestimated well depth and, more seriously, a poor potential anisotropy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Silicon amino acids

The existence and gas phase stability of silicon analogues of three natural amino acids (i.e., silicon glycine, silicon alanine, and silicon valine) belonging to the novel class of compounds termed silicon amino acids (SiAA) are investigated theoretically on the basis of ab initio QCISD/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ calculations. All molecules studied (in their gas phase canonical forms) are structurally comparable to their proteinogenic counterparts (i.e., glycine, l ‐alanine, and l ‐valine) and capable of forming several structural isomers as such. These higher energy isomers are characterized by small relative energies (not exceeding 4 kcal mol⁻¹). The simulated IR spectra of the Si‐Gly, Si‐Ala, and Si‐Val global minima are also presented and discussed.     

Theoretical investigation of the structures and spectroscopic properties of (H2O4)n (n = 1–4) clusters

Density functional theory and ab initio calculations were performed to elucidate the hydrogen interactions in (H₂O₄)_n (n = 1–4) clusters. The optimized geometries, binding energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies were predicted at various levels of theory. The trans conformer of the H₂O₄ monomer was predicted to be the most stable structure at the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory. The binding energies per H₂O₄ monomer increased in absolute value by 9.0, 10.1, and 11.8 kcal/mol from n = 2 to n = 4 at the MP2/cc‐pVTZ level of theory (after the zero‐point vibrational energy and basis set superposition error corrections). This result implies that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds were stronger in the long‐chain clusters, that is, the formation of the longer chain in the (H₂O₄)_n clusters was more energetically favorable.     

Characterization of the potential energy surfaces of two small but challenging noncovalent dimers: (P2)2 and (PCCP)2

This work characterizes eight stationary points of the P₂ dimer and six stationary points of the PCCP dimer, including a newly identified minimum on both potential energy surfaces. Full geometry optimizations and corresponding harmonic vibrational frequencies were computed with the second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2) electronic structure method and six different basis sets: aug‐cc‐pVXZ, aug‐cc‐pV(X+d)Z, and aug‐cc‐pCVXZ where X = T, Q. A new L‐shaped structure with C₂ symmetry is the only minimum for the P₂ dimer at the MP2 level of theory with these basis sets. The previously reported parallel‐slipped structure with C_2h symmetry and a newly identified cross configuration with D₂ symmetry are the only minima for the PCCP dimer. Single point energies were also computed using the canonical MP2 and CCSD(T) methods as well as the explicitly correlated MP2‐F12 and CCSD(T)‐F12 methods and the aug‐cc‐pVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5) basis sets. The energetics obtained with the explicitly correlated methods were very similar to the canonical results for the larger basis sets. Extrapolations were performed to estimate the complete basis set (CBS) limit MP2 and CCSD(T) binding energies. MP2 and MP2‐F12 significantly overbind the P₂ and PCCP dimers relative to the CCSD(T) and CCSD(T)‐F12 binding energies by as much as 1.5 kcal mol^?1 for the former and 5.0 kcal mol^?1 for the latter at the CBS limit. The dominant attractive component of the interaction energy for each dimer configuration was dispersion according to several symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory analyses. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Highly Accurate CCSD(T) and DFT–SAPT Stabilization Energies of H‐Bonded and Stacked Structures of the Uracil Dimer

The CCSD(T) interaction energies for the H‐bonded and stacked structures of the uracil dimer are determined at the aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ levels. On the basis of these calculations we can construct the CCSD(T) interaction energies at the complete basis set (CBS) limit. The most accurate energies, based either on direct extrapolation of the CCSD(T) correlation energies obtained with the aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets or on the sum of extrapolated MP2 interaction energies (from aug‐cc‐pVTZ and aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis sets) and extrapolated ΔCCSD(T) correction terms [difference between CCSD(T) and MP2 interaction energies] differ only slightly, which demonstrates the reliability and robustness of both techniques. The latter values, which represent new standards for the H‐bonding and stacking structures of the uracil dimer, differ from the previously published data for the S22 set by a small amount. This suggests that interaction energies of the S22 set are generated with chemical accuracy. The most accurate CCSD(T)/CBS interaction energies are compared with interaction energies obtained from various computational procedures, namely the SCS–MP2 (SCS: spin‐component‐scaled), SCS(MI)–MP2 (MI: molecular interaction), MP3, dispersion‐augmented DFT (DFT–D), M06–2X, and DFT–SAPT (SAPT: symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory) methods. Among these techniques, the best results are obtained with the SCS(MI)–MP2 method. Remarkably good binding energies are also obtained with the DFT–SAPT method. Both DFT techniques tested yield similarly good interaction energies. The large magnitude of the stacking energy for the uracil dimer, compared to that of the benzene dimer, is explained by attractive electrostatic interactions present in the stacked uracil dimer. These interactions force both subsystems to approach each other and the dispersion energy benefits from a shorter intersystem separation.     

Theoretical computation of low‐lying electronic states of HCNS: A CASPT2 study

Complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) and complete active space second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2) calculations in conjunction with the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set have been used to investigate the low‐lying electronic states of thiofulminic acid (HCNS), HCNS⁺, and HCNS^?. The result of geometry optimization using CASPT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ shows that theoretically determined geometric parameters and harmonic vibrational frequencies for the HCNS ground state X¹Σ⁺(X¹A′) are in agreement with previous studies. The ionization energies, the electron affinity energies, the adiabatic excitation energies, and vertical excitation energies have been calculated and the corresponding cation and anion states are identified. By calculating adiabatic electron affinity, the states of HCNS^? have been identified to contain both π orbital states (X²A′ and 1²A″) and dipole‐bond states (1⁴A′ and 1⁴A″). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hydrogen bonding in the mixed HF/HCl dimer: Is it better to give or receive?

The ClH⋯FH and FH⋯ClH configurations of the mixed HF/HCl dimer (where the donor⋯acceptor notation indicates the directionality of the hydrogen bond) as well as the transition state connecting the two configurations have been optimized using MP2 and CCSD(T) with correlation consistent basis sets as large as aug‐cc‐pV(5 + d)Z. Harmonic vibrational frequencies confirmed that both configurations correspond to minima and that the transition state has exactly one imaginary frequency. In addition, anharmonic vibrational frequencies computed with second‐order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2) are within 6 cm⁻¹ of the available experimental values and deviate by no more than 4 cm⁻¹ for the complexation induced HF frequency shifts. The CCSD(T) electronic energies obtained with the largest basis set indicate that the barrier height is 0.40 kcal mol⁻¹ and the FH⋯ClH configuration lies 0.19 kcal mol⁻¹ below the ClH⋯FH configuration. While only modestly attenuating the barrier height, the inclusion of either the harmonic or anharmonic zero‐point vibrational energy effectively makes both minima isoenergetic, with the ClH⋯FH configuration being lower by only 0.03 kcal mol⁻¹. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Far-Infrared Spectra, Conformational Stability, Barriers to Internal Rotation, Ab Initio Calculations, r0 Structural Parameters, and Vibrational Assignment of Ethyl Methyl Ether

The far-infrared spectra (350–35 cm^–1) of gaseous ethyl methyl ether-d ₀ and ethyl methyl-d ₃-ether have been recorded at a resolution of 0.10 cm^–1. For the d ₀ species, the fundamental asymmetric torsion of the more stable trans conformer (two methyl moieties are trans to one another) has been observed at 115.40 cm^–1 with four upper state transitions falling to lower frequency, whereas, for the gauche form, it has been observed at 93.56 cm^–1 with two excited states falling to lower frequency. the corresponding series for the d ₃ species start from 106.00 and 87.10 cm^–1, respectively. From these data, the asymmetric torsional potential coefficients for the d ₀ species have been determined to be: V ₁ = 572 ± 30; V ₂ = 85 ± 8; V ₃ = 619 ± 30; V ₄ = 175 ± 18, and V ₆ = –28 ± 3 cm^–1. The trans to gauche and gauche to gauche barriers were calculated to be 958 cm^–1 (11.5 kJ/mol) and 631 cm^–1 (7.55 kJ/mol), respectively, with an energy difference of 550 ± 6 cm^–1 (6.58 ± 0.07 kJ/mol). Utilizing three conformer pairs, variable temperature studies (–105 to –150°C) of the infrared spectra of the d ₀ sample dissolved in liquid krypton gave an enthalpy difference of 547 ± 28 cm^–1 (6.54 ± 0.33 kJ/mol) with the trans conformer the more stable rotamer. It is estimated that there is only 4% of the gauche conformer present at ambient temperatures. The structural parameters, conformational stabilities, barriers to internal rotation, and fundamental vibrational frequencies, which have been determined experimentally, are compared to those obtained from ab initio gradient predictions from RHF/6-31G* and with full electron correlation at the MP2 level with three different basis sets. The adjusted r ₀ structural parameters have been obtained for the trans conformer from combined ab initio MP2/6-311+G** predictions and previously reported microwave rotational constants. The reported distances should be accurate to 0.003 Å and the angles to 0.5°. These results are compared to the corresponding quantities obtained for some similar molecules.     

A Universal and Straightforward Approach to Include Penetration Effects in Electrostatic Interaction Energy Estimation

To compensate for the lack of the explicit treatment of charge penetration in classical force fields, we propose a new charge‐distribution model based on a promolecule augmented with point charges (aug‐PROmol). It relies on a superposition of spherical atomic electron densities obtained for each chemical element from SCF energy optimized atomic orbitals. Atomic densities are further rescaled by partial point charges computed from fits to the molecular electrostatic potential. Aug‐PROmol was tested on the S66 benchmark dataset extended to nonequilibrium geometries (J. Chem. Theory Comput., 2011, 7, 3466). The model does not need any additional parametrization other than point charges. Despite its simplicity, aug‐PROmol approximates the electrostatic energy with good agreement (RMSE=0.76 kcal mol^?1 to DFT‐SAPT with B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ).     

The ORP basis set designed for optical rotation calculations

Details of generation of the optical rotation prediction (ORP) basis set developed for accurate optical rotation (OR) calculations are presented. Specific rotation calculations carried out at the density functional theory (DFT) level for model chiral methane molecule, fluorooxirane, methyloxirane, and dimethylmethylenecyclopropane reveal that the ORP set outperforms larger basis sets, among them the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set of Dunning (J. Chem. Phys. 1989, 90, 1007) and the aug‐pc‐2 basis set of Jensen (J. Chem. Phys. 2002, 117, 9234; J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2008, 4, 719). It is shown to be an attractive choice also in the case of larger systems, namely norbornanone, β‐pinene, trans‐pinane, and nopinone. The ORP basis set is further used in OR calculations for 24 other systems, and the results are compared to the aug‐cc‐pVDZ values. Whenever large discrepancies of results are observed, the ORP values are in an excellent agreement with the aug‐cc‐pVTZ results. The ORP basis set enables accurate specific rotation calculations at a reduced cost and thus can be recommended for routine DFT OR calculations, also for large and conformationally flexible molecules. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Performance of density‐functional tight‐binding models in describing hydrogen‐bonded anionic‐water clusters

Density‐functional tight‐binding (DFTB) models are computationally efficient approximations to density‐functional theory that have been shown to predict reliable structural and energetic properties for various systems. In this work, the reliability and accuracy of the self‐consistent‐charge DFTB model and its recent extension(s) in predicting the structures, binding energies, charge distributions, and vibrational frequencies of small water clusters containing polyatomic anions of the Hofmeister series (carbonate, sulfate, hydrogen phosphate, acetate, nitrate, perchlorate, and thiocyanate) have been carefully and systematically evaluated on the basis of high‐level ab initio quantum‐chemistry [MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVQZ] reference data. Comparison with available experimental data has also been made for further validation. The self‐consistent‐charge DFTB model, and even more so its recent extensions, are shown to properly account for the structural properties, energetics, intermolecular polarization, and spectral signature of hydrogen‐bonding in anionic water clusters at a fraction of the computational cost of ab initio quantum‐chemistry methods. This makes DFTB models candidates of choice for investigating much larger systems such as seeded water droplets, their structural properties, formation thermodynamics, and infrared spectra. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New global potential energy surface of the MgH2 system and dynamics studies of the reaction H + MgH → Mg + H2

A new global potential energy surface for the ground state of MgH₂ was constructed using the permutation invariant polynomial neural network method. About 70 000 ab initio energy points were calculated via the multi‐reference configuration interaction method method with aug‐cc‐pVTZ and aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis sets, and these points were used to construct the potential energy surface (PES). To avoid basis set superposition error, the basis set was extrapolated to the complete basis set limit using the two point energy extrapolation formula. The root mean square error of the present PES is only 8.85 meV. Initial state (v = 0, j = 0) dynamics studies were performed using the time‐dependent wave packet method with a second‐order split operator for the total angular momentum J up to a value of 50. Furthermore, the reaction probability, integral cross section, and thermal rate constant are reported and compared with available theoretical studies.     

A New Glimpse into the CO2‐Philicity of Carbonyl Compounds

We report a theoretical study on non‐conventional structures of 1:1 complexes between carbon dioxide and carbonyl compounds. These structures have never been reported before but are relevant for understanding the solubility of carbonyl compounds in supercritical CO₂. The work is based on the results of ab initio calculations at the MP2 and CCSD(T) levels using aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets. Investigated systems include aldehydes, ketones and esters, together with some fluorinated derivatives. The results are interpreted in terms of natural bond orbital analyses. Harmonic vibrational frequency calculations have also been done in order to compare them with available experimental data. We show for the first time that complexes where CO₂ behaves globally as a Lewis base are stable in the case of ketones and esters, but not in the case of aldehydes, and their stability is similar to that of traditional complexes in which CO₂ behaves as a Lewis acid. This finding considerably modifies the concept of CO₂‐philicity and may have important ramifications in the development of green reactions in supercritical CO₂.