| Abstract: | Pseudopotential SCF-LCAO-MO and variational and perturbative Cl calculations were carried out for H2 molecule capture by a single Pt atom with C2v symmetry. A pseudopotential for the platinum atom including relativistic effects was used. Singlet and triplet states of the Pt-H2 interaction having different representations of the mentioned C2v symmetry were studied. The triplet ground state of Pt leads to two A1 and B2 states in which the metal atom cannot capture H2; i.e., both have repulsive interaction energies. The electronic state responsible for the capture of H2 is the closed-shell, singlet A1 excited state. The equilibrium geometry of the system is reached with a broken H? H bond at a HPtH angle of about 100°. Additionally another shallower minimum for a singlet A1 linear structure is observed. Specific predictions for the thermal and photochemical Pt + H2 reactions that can be carried out under matrix isolation conditions are made. |
