The ClO4 radical: a theoretical study on ground and excited states

In agreement with previous studies, the ground state of ClO₄ has been confirmed to be X²B₁. Vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths were calculated by MRCI methods for doublet and quartet states of ClO₄. The highest oscillator strength was found for 1²A₁ at 2.95 eV. This state has been identified as the upper state seen by Kopitzky and co-workers in the absorption spectrum of ClO₄. Two higher states, 2²A₁ and 3²A₁, at 4.19 and 8.12 eV, respectively, also have relatively high oscillator strengths. Rydberg states start at about 9.5 eV. Geometry optimizations were performed by DFT and CCSD(T) methods. After extensive testing, the B3LYP density functional, together with the 6-311 + G(3df) basis set were chosen for calculations. Optimized geometries of seven excited states were obtained. The adiabatic excitation energy of 1²A₁ (2.40 eV) agrees closely with the observed band origin at 2.46 eV. Three excited states have one or two imaginary vibrational modes. Electron affinity and heat of formation of ClO₄ agree with literature values. None of the quartet states was found to be stable.