Structures and properties of (H2GaN3)n (n = 1–4) clusters: A DFT study

Computations on the systems of (H₂GaN₃)_n (n = 1–4) are performed using the density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP method with different basis sets. (H₂GaN₃)₂ possessing D_2h symmetry is found to exhibit the planar Ga₂N₂ ring structure. (H₂GaN₃)₃ involving a six‐membered Ga₃N₃ ring is found to exhibit two minima with very similar binding energies (ca. −235 ∼ −231 kJ · mol⁻¹). One minimum is the newly found boat‐like conformation possessing C_s symmetry. Another minimum possessing C_3v symmetry is the chair‐like conformation. (H₂GaN₃)₄ occurs in several structures with Ga₄N₄ eight‐membered ring structures that correspond to minima with slight energy differences among them. The structural changes of the clusters are large compared with the monomer. Frequency calculations are carried out on each optimized structure, and their infrared (IR) spectra are discussed. Thermodynamic properties demonstrate that the systems of H₂GaN₃ occur at dimer–trimer–tetramer equilibrium, and the trimer is the main component. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004