BSSE‐corrected geometry and harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies of formamide–water and formamide–formamide dimers

The basis set superposition error (BSSE) influence in the geometry structure, interaction energies, and intermolecular harmonic and anharmonic vibrational frequencies of cyclic formamide–formamide and formamide–water dimers have been studied using different basis sets (6‐31G, 6‐31G**, 6‐31++G**, D95V, D95V**, and D95V++**). The a posteriori “counterpoise” (CP) correction scheme has been compared with the a priori “chemical Hamiltonian approach” (CHA) both at the Hartree–Fock (HF) and second‐order Møller–Plesset many‐body perturbation (MP2) levels of theory. The effect of BSSE on geometrical parameters, interaction energies, and intermolecular harmonic vibrational frequencies are discussed and compared with the existing experimental data. As expected, the BSSE‐free CP and CHA interaction energies usually show less deep minima than those obtained from the uncorrected methods at both the HF and MP2 levels. Focusing on the correlated level, the amount of BSSE in the intermolecular interaction energies is much larger than that at the HF level, and this effect is also conserved in the values of the force constants and harmonic vibrational frequencies. All these results clearly indicate the importance of the proper BSSE‐free correlation treatment with the well‐defined basis functions. At the same time, the results show a good agreement between the a priori CHA and a posteriori CP correction scheme; this agreement is remarkable in the case of large and well‐balanced basis sets. The anharmonic frequency correction values also show an important BSSE dependence, especially for hydrogen bond stretching and for low frequencies belonging to the intermolecular normal modes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

A BSSE-free SCF algorithm for intermolecular interactions

A very simple modification of the usual (～N⁴) SCF procedure is proposed, permitting the exclusion of basis set superposition errors (BSSE ) in problems of intermolecular interactions. No a posteriori corrections are required. The results of this “CHA /F method” are numerically close to those of the Boys–Bernardi correction scheme but are free from the “overcompensation” characteristic of the latter at smaller distances.     

Improved intermolecular SCF theory and the BSSE problem

Analytical and numerical studies are performed concerning the exclusion of the basis set superposition error (BSSE ) from the SCF calculations of intermolecular interactions. Based on these studies a new procedure is proposed, which consists of the following steps: (1) determine the orbitals by the SCF scheme based on the recent “chemical Hamiltonian approach” (CHA-SCF method), i.e., excluding the delocalization effects caused by BSSE , and then (2) calculate the usual energy expectation value. (This gives results superior to those obtained by the previous nonsymmetric CHA energy formula.) The actual numerical calculations performed for different simple systems (He₂, water dimer) by using various basis sets indicate that the CHA/CE (CHA with “conventional energy” formula) potential curves are well-balanced and are close to those obtained by the Boys–Bernardi (BB ) method and usually (but not necessarily) go slightly beyond the latter. So our method gives results better than (or close to) those given by the BB method by performing only a single ～N⁴ calculation at each geometrical arrangement of the system.     

A BSSE-free SCF algorithm for intermolecular interactions. II. Sample calculations on hydrogen-bonded complexes

The usefulness and reliability of the recent BSSE -free SCF algorithm based on the “chemical Hamiltonian approach” (CHA /F ) is demonstrated by calculating potential curves for several hydrogen-bonded complexes with 4-31G , 6-31G , and 6-31G ** basis sets. It is concluded that the CHA /F scheme gives results that are numerically close to those of the Boys–Bernardi a posteriori correction scheme but are free from the “overcompensation” characteristic of the latter at smaller distances and given basis sets. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

On the effect of the BSSE on intermolecular potential energy surfaces. Comparison of a priori and a posteriori BSSE correction schemes

A comparative study of geometrical parameters is performed on the complexes HF–HF, H₂O–H₂O, and HF–H₂O using 12 different basis sets at the RHF, MP2, and DFT (BLYP and B3LYP) levels of theory. The equilibrium geometries were obtained from uncorrected, a posteriori (counterpoise, CP) and a priori (Chemical Hamiltonian Approach, CHA) BSSE‐corrected potential energy surfaces. The calculation of equilibrium geometries using the CP and CHA schemes is described in details. The effect of the BSSE on various intermolecular parameters is discussed and the performance of the applied theoretical models is critically evaluated from the BSSE point of view. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 765–786, 2001     

Comparison of basis set superposition error corrected perturbation theories for calculating intermolecular interaction energies

Recently, two different but conceptually similar basis set superposition error (BSSE) free second‐order perturbation theoretical schemes were developed by us that are being based on the chemical Hamiltonian approach (CHA). Using these CHA‐MP2 and CHA‐PT2 methods, a comparison is made between the a posteriori and a priori BSSE correction schemes at the correlated level. Sample calculations are presented for four hydrogen bonded complexes (HFH₃N, HFH₂O, H₂SHF, and H₂OHCl) in nine different basis sets (from 6–31G to TZV**++). The results show that the BSSE content is very significant in the interaction energy if electron correlation is accounted for, so removing the BSSE is very important. The differences of the two perturbational theories discussed are connected solely with the different one electron orbital sets used for building up the unperturbed single determinant wave function. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 20: 274–283, 1999     

Comparison of a posteriori and a priori BSSE correction schemes for SCF intermolecular energies

A systematic SCF study has been undertaken to compare the conventional a posteriori Boys–Bernardi BSSE correction scheme with our recent CHA/F method in which BSSE is excluded in a priori manner. Potential curves have been obtained for nine simple hydrogen-bonded systems by using nine different basis sets for each. It is concluded that the difference between the a posteriori BB and the a priori CHA schemes diminishes much faster when the basis set improves than BSSE disappears from the uncorrected SCF results. This fact gives an additional confidence in the CHA results, permitting one to draw the explicit conclusion that, at the SCF level of theory, the a priori CHA/F scheme can be considered the ultimate solution of the BSSE problem for weakly bonded systems. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

SCF theory of intermolecular interactions without basis set superposition error

Special SCF LCAO MO type equations are derived, permitting “supermolecule” calculations for intermolecular interactions, excluding basis set superposition error (BSSE) from the beginning on the basis of the “chemical Hamiltonian approach”. (No additional “monomer” calculations are necessary to correct for BSSE.) The formalism excluding the BSSE results in a non-Hermitean Fock matrix; an algorithm is proposed to obtain the required molecular orbitals, in which no integral transformation is needed.     

BSSE‐free description of the formamide dimers

The different configurations (linear, zig‐zag, and cyclic) of formamide dimers have been studied at the level of both Hartree–Fock (HF) and second order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2). The widely used a posteriori Boys–Bernardi “counterpoise” (CP) correction scheme has been compared with our a priori methods utilizing the “chemical Hamiltonian approach” (CHA). The appropriate interaction energies have been calculated in six different basis sets (6‐31G, 6‐31G**, DZV, DZP, TZV, and cc‐pVDZ). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem, 2001     

Structural Mapping of a Chaperone–Substrate Interaction Surface

NMR spectroscopy is used to detect site‐specific intermolecular short‐range contacts in a membrane–protein–chaperone complex. This is achieved by an “orthogonal” isotope‐labeling scheme that permits the unambiguous detection of intermolecular NOEs between the well‐folded chaperone and the unfolded substrate ensemble. The residues involved in these contacts are part of the chaperone–substrate contact interface. The approach is demonstrated for the 70 kDa bacterial Skp‐tOmpA complex.     

Theoretical study of hydrogen bonds between acetylene and selected proton donor systems

The equilibrium structures, the binding energies, and the second‐order energy components of a series of hydrogen‐bonded complexes involving acetylene are studied. The strength of the binding energy of the selected systems (HF … HCCH, HCl … HCCH, HCN … HCCH, and HCCH … HCCH) was different, ranging from a very weak interaction to a strong interaction. Calculations have been carried out at both the Hartree–Fock and correlated (second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory) levels of theory, using several different basis sets [6‐31G(d,p), 6‐311G(d,p), 6‐31G++(d,p), 6‐311G++(d,p), 6‐31++G(2d,2p) and 6‐311++G(2d,2p)]. The widely used a posteriori Boys–Bernardi counterpoise (CP) correction scheme has been compared with the a priori CHA/CE, CHA–MP2, and CHA–PT2 methods, using the chemical Hamiltonian approach (CHA). The results show that at both levels the CP and the appropriate CHA results are very close to each other. Only the monomer‐based CHA‐PT2 theory gives slightly overcorrected results, reflecting that the charge transfer and polarization effects are not taken into account in this method up to second order. We have also applied our earlier developed energy decomposition scheme in order to decompose the second‐order energy contribution into different physically meaningful components. The results show that at large and intermediate intermolecular distances, the second‐order intermolecular contribution is almost equal to the sum of different physically meaningful components (e.g., polarization, charge transfer, dispersion), while at shorter distances the slightly strong overlap effects fairly disturb this simple additivity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Rapid Preparation of Silsesquioxane‐Based Ionic Liquids

Three new hybrid ionic liquids (ILs) based on cage silsesquioxane (SQ) were rapidly prepared in high yields from octa(mercaptopropyl)silsesquioxane and 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium salts (Br^?, BF₄^?, PF₆^?) through the photochemical thiol–ene reaction. These SQ‐based ILs exhibited low glass transition temperatures and good thermal stability. The unique amphiphilic nature of these hybrid ILs cause them to self‐assemble into perfect vesicles with “yolk–shell” structures, in which cages formed the “yolk” due to their aggregation and outer anions formed the “shell”.     

A BSSE-free SCF algorithm for intermolecular interactions. III. Generalization for three-body systems and for using bond functions

The simple BSSE -free SCF method (CHA /F ) introduced in the previous parts of this series is extended to the case of three subsystems, which may be either three weakly interacting molecules or a bimolecular system described by using bond functions. The CHA /F formalism is formulated in a more transparent manner, indicating also a straightforward way for generalization to the case of an arbitrary number of subsystems. The illustrative calculations show the viability of using the CHA /F scheme for three-component systems. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

F2 dimer: Improved intermolecular potential energy surface using ab initio calculations

A computational study on the intermolecular potential energy of 44 different orientations of F₂ dimers is presented. Basis set superposition error (BSSE) corrected potential energy surface is calculated using the supermolecular approach at CCSD(T) and QCISD(T) levels of theory. The interaction energies obtained using the aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets are extrapolated to the complete basis set limit using the latest extrapolation scheme. The basis set effect is checked and it is found that the extrapolated intermolecular energies provide the best compromise between the accuracy and computational cost. Among 1320 energy points of F₂–F₂ system covering more relative orientations, the most stable structure of the dimers was obtained with a well depth of ?146.62 cm^?1 that related to cross configuration, and the most unstable structure is related to linear orientation with a well depth of ?52.63 cm^?1. The calculated second virial coefficients are in good agreement with experimental data. The latest extrapolation scheme of the complete basis set limit at the CCSD(T) level of theory is used to determine the intermolecular potential energy surface of the F₂ dimer. Comparing the results obtained by the latest scheme with those by older schemes show that the new approach provides the best compromise between accuracy and computational cost.     

Basis sets for molecular interactions. 2. Application to H3N?HF,H3N?HOH,H2O?HF, (NH3)2, and H3CH?OH2

Modifications of the standard 6-31G** basis set as recommended in the accompanying paper are found to markedly lower the basis set superposition error (BSSE) in the title complexes, in contrast to enlargement to a triple-ζ scheme or by addition of a diffuse sp shell or a second set of d-functions without prior optimization, all of which lead to BSSE increase. After appropriate correction for correlation and superposition effects, all basis sets (with the exception of the standard 6-31G** and 6-311G** with their very large BSSE) predict the cyclic geometry of NH₃ dimer to be more stable than the linear arrangement. Correlation and BSSE can shift the equilibrium intermolecular distance in H₃CH-OH₂ by up to 0.4 Å. Failure to correct for superposition error leads to a drastic exaggeration of both the SCF and MP2 components of the interaction energy in this complex. Much better estimates are furnished by our recommended basis sets with their smaller superposition errors.     

Modification of Potassium Chabazites Derived from Fly Ash by Dosing Extra Cations: Promoted CO2 Adsorption Capacities and Fine‐Tuned Frameworks

Potassium chabazite (K‐CHA), a typical microporous zeolite with excellent CO₂ separating properties, was synthesized with waste fly ash and modified via cation dosing treatments using cesium and zinc cations, respectively. The resulting CHAs were analyzed by XRF, XRD, FT‐IR, SEM, and N₂ physisorption, whose CO₂ adsorption properties were then tested on the reorganized TGA apparatus. It showed from XRF data that cesium and zinc cations were successfully imported in the original K‐CHA by cation dosing, but the CHA microstructures and morphologies of K‐CHA were perfectly retained as confirmed by XRD, FT‐IR, SEM and N₂ physisorption. Since there were still over 9 potassium cations per unit cell in cation dosed Cs‐CHA and Zn‐CHA, they both maintained the favored properties of K‐CHA as “molecular trapdoors”. In the following adsorption experiments, the CO₂ uptakes of Cs‐CHA and Zn‐CHA at 333 K and 1 bar, compared with K‐CHA, elevated from 1.70 mmol · g^–1 to 2.34 and 2.03 mmol · g^–1, and the import of zinc cation also presented a positive effect on the adsorption kinetics. Detailed comparisons suggested modifications with cesium and zinc cations fine‐tune the CHA complying with different mechanisms, and CHAs modified via cation perform more approvingly than fully ion‐exchanged ones, providing us important insights into CHA modifications and applications in practice.     

Polystyrene‐Core–Silica‐Shell Hybrid Particles Containing Gold and Magnetic Nanoparticles

Polystyrene‐core–silica‐shell hybrid particles were synthesized by combining the self‐assembly of nanoparticles and the polymer with a silica coating strategy. The core–shell hybrid particles are composed of gold‐nanoparticle‐decorated polystyrene (PS‐AuNP) colloids as the core and silica particles as the shell. PS‐AuNP colloids were generated by the self‐assembly of the PS‐grafted AuNPs. The silica coating improved the thermal stability and dispersibility of the AuNPs. By removing the “free” PS of the core, hollow particles with a hydrophobic cage having a AuNP corona and an inert silica shell were obtained. Also, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were encapsulated in the core, which resulted in magnetic core–shell hybrid particles by the same strategy. These particles have potential applications in biomolecular separation and high‐temperature catalysis and as nanoreactors.     

Controllable Encapsulation of “Clean” Metal Clusters within MOFs through Kinetic Modulation: Towards Advanced Heterogeneous Nanocatalysts

Surfactant‐free tiny Pt clusters were successfully encapsulated within MOFs with controllable size and spatial distribution by a novel kinetically modulated one‐step strategy. Our synthesis relies on the rational manipulation of the reduction rate of Pt ions and/or the growth rate of MOFs by using H₂ as assistant reducing agent and/or acetic acid as MOF‐formation modulator. The as‐prepared Pt@MOF core–shell composites exhibited exceedingly high activity and excellent selectivity in the oxidation of alcohols as a result of the ultrafine “clean” Pt clusters, as well as interesting molecular‐sieving effects derived from the outer platinum‐free MOF shell.     

Broadening the Scope for Fluoride‐Free Synthesis of Siliceous Zeolites

Siliceous zeolites are ideally suited for emerging applications in gas separations, sensors, and the next generation of low‐k dielectric materials, but the use of fluoride in the synthesis significantly hinders their commercialization. Herein, we show that the dry gel conversion (DGC) technique can overcome this problem. Fluoride‐free synthesis of two siliceous zeolites—AMH‐4 (CHA‐type) and AMH‐5 (STT‐type), has been achieved for the first time using the method. Siliceous *BEA‐, MFI‐, and *MRE‐type zeolites have also been synthesized to obtain insights into the crystallization process. Charge‐balancing interactions between the inorganic cation, organic structure‐directing agent (OSDA), and Si?O^? defects are found to be an essential aspect. We quantify this factor in terms of the “OSDA charge/silica ratio” of the as‐made zeolites and demonstrate that the DGC technique is broadly applicable and opens up new avenues for fluoride‐free siliceous zeolite synthesis.