A general pseudopotential model for molecules with many valence electrons

Criteria are discussed for the practical application of ‘valence-electron only’ calculations aimed at simulating ab initio all-electron calculations on molecules containing heavy atoms with many core electrons. A theoretical model is outlined based on the use of pseudopotentials derived from atomic SCF calculations. The model has been used in calculations for NaH, Na₂, H₂S, S₂, H₂S₂, HCl, Cl₂ and NaCl, and has been tested by comparison with reference all-electron calculations. Most of these tests employ double-zeta basis sets and SCF wavefunctions, although polarization functions and complete valence-electron CI wavefunctions have been used in some cases. The model is generally successful for ground-state equilibrium structures, charge distributions and orbital energies.