Variation of parameters in Becke‐3 hybrid exchange‐correlation functional

We have investigated the consequences of varying the three parameters in Becke's hybrid exchange‐correlation functional, which includes five contributions: Hartree–Fock exchange, local exchange, Becke's gradient exchange correction, local correlation, and some form of gradient correlation correction. Our primary focus was upon obtaining orbital energies with magnitudes that are reasonable approximations to the electronic ionization potentials; however, we also looked at the effects on molecular geometries and atomization enthalpies. A total of 12 parameter combinations was considered for each of three different gradient correlation corrections: the Lee–Yang–Parr, the Perdew‐86, and the Perdew–Wang 91. Five molecules were included in the study: HCN, N₂, N₂O, F₂O, and H₂O. For comparison, a Hartree–Fock calculation was also carried out for each of these. The 6‐31+G** basis set was used throughout this work. We found that the ionization potential estimates can be greatly improved (to much better than Hartree–Fock levels) by increasing the Hartree–Fock exchange contribution at the expense of local exchange. In itself, this also introduces major errors in the atomization enthalpies. However, this can be largely or even completely counteracted by reducing or eliminating the role of the gradient exchange correction. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 227–238, 2000