First‐principles calculations on the energetics,electronic structures and magnetism of SrFeO2

The electronic and magnetic properties of SrFeO₂ with different magnetic configurations have been calculated via the plane‐wave pseudopotential density functional theory method, using the experimental lattice parameters. The results give an antiferromagnetic ground state for SrFeO₂ with an absolute magnetic moment agreeing very well with the experimental report. In comparison with the counterparts whose magnetic moments are parallel to the c axis, the structures with spin moments parallel to the a (or b) axis exhibit no observable preference in total energy, but show different density distributions of the Fe 3d and Fe 3d states. The square‐planar crystal field splits the Fe 3d orbitals into a high‐level d, a low d, and intermediate d_xy and d_xz or d_yz components. The exchange splitting is larger than the crystal‐field splitting, resulting in the high‐spin Fe 3d states. Referred to the triplet O₂, the O‐vacancy formation energy from SrFeO₃ to SrFeO₂ has been deduced as well, along with its dependence on the temperature and O₂ partial pressure. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2009     

Ab initio pseudopotential study of the fluxional behavior in tetrahydroborate complexes. Many-body contributions to the energy barriers of NaBH4, AlH2BH4, and GaH2BH4

The relative stabilities of the bidentate and tridentate configurations of the complex hydrides NaBH₄, AlH₂BH₄, and GaH₂BH₄ have been computed both at the Hartree-Fock and post-Hartree-Fock levels using the ab initio pseudopotential method. For both compounds correlation effects favor the configurations with the highest coordination of the metal. The changes with respect to HF results are not very large, so that second-order perturbative computation of correlation energy is sufficient to give accurate results.     

Ab initio molecular calculations with pseudopotentials: Higher quality calculations on Li2, LiH,and BeH2

New psudopotentials of higher quality have been used in ab initio molecular calculations. Simple molecular systems like Li₂, LiH, and BeH₂ have been investigated with varying basis sets. Energy, geometrical parameters, and dipole moments have been determined. The convergence properties of the various quantities have been investigated. They show characteristic behavior, e.g., stationary value for the energy where such behavior may be expected.     

Ab initio calculations of structural, elastic, and electronic properties of silver nitrides

The all-electron approach implemented in the CRYSTAL06 program is used along with a pseudopotential method in the pseudo-atomic orbital basis set to study the crystal structure, elastic constants and bulk moduli, the band structure and density of states for the family of silver nitrides. Calculations are performed within density functional theory with the use of local and gradient functionals to describe exchange and correlation. For the general type of the cubic lattice, all considered compounds can be put in the following order of their relative stability: AgN (rock salt structure), AgN₂ (fluorite structure), Ag₂N (cuprite structure), and Ag₃N (anti-ReO₂). It is shown that AgN, AgN₂, and Ag₂N are metals, whereas Ag₃N is a semiconductor with a band gap of 0.25 eV. Chemical bonding in these compounds has ionic and covalent components, apart from the metal one.     

MNDO method for calculations of magnesium clusters

A new set of parameters for the magnesium atom has been developed within the MNDO method. In contrast to previously published parameters, the new parameters correctly describe molecules with different chemical natures: magnesium halides, organomagnesium compounds and the recently found small magnesium clusters Mg _n (n=2-8). The average errors in the calculated heats of formation and bond lengths of magnesium compounds, including clusters are: 10.7 kcal/mol and 0.167 Å, respectively.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1384–1388, August, 1994.     

Nonrelativistic and quasirelativistic model potential calculations on AgH and Ag2

The major relativistic effects are included into the model potential (MP) method of Bonifacic and Huzinaga. The effects are incorporated on the level of Cowan and Griffin's relativistic Hartree–Fock (RHF) method. The model potential parameters are determined using the results of nonrelativistic Hartree–Fock (NHF) and RHF calculations. A new scheme of selection of the basis functions for use in atomic and molecular MP calculations is proposed. To obtain agreement with the Hartree–Fock calculations on AgH and Ag₂, the 4p shell has to be included explicitly in the MP calculations. The explicit treatment of the 4p electrons and the resulting reduction of the core size are necessary in order to overcome difficulties with approximate representation of the large 4p–4d core-valence interactions on the MP level.     

Structural,mechanical, electronic,optical properties and effective masses of CuMO2 (M = Sc,Y, La) compounds: First-principles calculations

The structural, elastic, mechanical, electronic, optical properties and effective masses of CuM_IIIBO₂ (M_IIIB = Sc, Y, La) compounds have been investigated by the plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential technique based on the first-principles density-functional theory under local density approximation. The equilibrium structural parameters are in good agreement with previous experimental and theoretical data. To our knowledge, there are no available data of elastic constants for comparison. The bulk, shear and Young's modulus, ratio of B/G, Poisson's ratio and Lamé's constants of CuM_IIIBO₂ have been studied. The electronic structures of CuM_IIIBO₂ are consistent with other calculations. The population analysis, charge densities and effective masses have been shown and analyzed. The imaginary and real parts of the dielectric function, refractive index and extinction coefficient of CuM_IIIBO₂ are calculated. The interband transitions to absorption of CuM_IIIBO₂ have been analyzed.     

Scalar-relativistic 5f-in-core pseudopotentials and core-polarization potentials for trivalent actinides: calibration calculations for Ac<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Cm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Lr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> complexes

The performance of recently proposed 5f-in-core pseudopotentials for the trivalent actinides was investigated in calculations for model complexes An³⁺L ⁿ⁻ for three selected actinides (An³⁺ = Ac³⁺, Cm³⁺, Lr³⁺) and eight simple ligands with atoms from the first three periods of the table of elements (L ⁿ⁻ = F⁻, Cl⁻, OH⁻, SH⁻, CO, NH₂⁻, H₂O, H₂S, NH₃). Results of Hartree-Fock and Coupled Cluster with singles, doubles and perturbative triples calculations using basis sets of quadruple-zeta quality are compared to corresponding reference data obtained with scalar-relativistic energy-adjusted 5f-in-valence small-core pseudopotentials. The inclusion of core-polarization potentials in the 5f-in-core pseudopotential calculations and corrections of the basis set superposition error by the counterpoise correction leads to very good agreement between the 5f-in-valence and 5f-in-core pseudopotential results for bond lengths, bond angles and binding energies. Results from 5f-in-core pseudopotential calculations using different density functionals also show reasonable agreement with the more rigorous Coupled Cluster results. It is argued that the An 5f rather than the An f population is a useful criterion for the applicability of a specific An 5f-in-core pseudopotential.     

A simple treatment of intermolecular interactions: Synthesis of ab initio calculations and combination rules

A new technique for a simple and efficient treatment of intermolecular interactions is proposed and tested. The method is based on an approximation of the first order SCF term E_SCF⁽¹⁾ which is the most structured contribution to the total interaction. E_SCF⁽¹⁾ is represented by a site–site potential V of (exp, 1/R)-type, which accounts for the exchange plus penetration and the long range Coulomb forces (by means of a point charge model). The individual contributions to V are obtained by means of combination rules from corresponding site parameters of interacting molecules. The site parameters are consequently molecular and not intermolecular properties and can conveniently be determined by probing a molecule with appropriate test particles. Site parameters are reported for He, Ne, Ar, N₂, CO, CO₂, CS₂, and HCl. Comprisons show close agreement of V with E which in turn is close to ΔE_SCF if polarization and charge transfer effects are small.     

Ab initio MP2 calculations of the products of acetylene addition to HgCl2

Gas-phase reaction of acetylene with HgCl₂ resulting in -chlorovinylmercury derivatives and their interaction with Cl^– and I^– anions and KI molecule was studied by the ab initio MP2 method with the Dunning—Hay double zeta basis set and LanL pseudopotential for Hg, K, and I atoms. The reaction was shown to proceed via a -complex of acetylene and HgCl₂ (the calculated enthalpy of formation is –6.5 kcal mol^–1). According to calculations, the activation energy of formation of cis--chlorovinylmercury chloride from acetylene and HgCl₂ is 31 kcal mol^–1. Chloride and iodide anions and KI molecule are readily added to both cis- and trans-isomer of -chlorovinylmercury chloride to give stable species.     

Gas solubility calculations. II. Application of a new group-contribution equation of state

A new equation of state has been developed for polar as well as nonpolar components. It is based on the generalized van der Waals partition function and uses local-composition mixing rules. The group-contribution version of this equation of state (the GC-EOS) is described and tables containing parameters for 14 solvent groups and 9 gases (H₂, N₂, CO, O₂, CH₄, C₂H₄, CO₂, C₂H₆ and H₂S) are presented.The GC-EOS predicts vapor-liquid equilibria well for all kinds of systems involving the groups considered. The method requires only information concerning readily accessible pure-component properties. Calculations for multicomponent systems show that the method suggested provides very good predictions of multicomponent high-pressure vapor-liquid equilibria and fairly good predictions of Henry's constants in mixed solvents.     

A simplified method for molecular correlation energy calculations by separation into internal and non-internal parts. Application to multiconfigurational zeroth-order wavefunctions

A simplified method of determining the molecular correlation energy by two separate calculations, one for the internal and one for the non-internal correlation energies, is extended to multiconfigurational zeroth-order wavefunctions. This extension offers the possibility of deriving correlated potential energy curves or surfaces for processes involving configurational changes. The internal correlation energy is shown to be correctly determined by an MC/CI procedure combining the use of minimal and extended basis sets. An original semi-empirical “atoms-in-molecules” method based on the L.C.A.O. expansion of the molecular wavefunction is proposed for the non-internal correlation energy calculations. This method is shown to be able to overcome some of the shortcomings of a previous populations analysis approach. Test calculations concern potential curve parameters (D _e ,T _e ,R _e ,W _e ) of the ground and some excited states of the NH, C₂, HCN and CN molecules. The results are found to be in good agreement with corresponding experimental and large CI results. Aspirant du Fonds National Belge de la Recherche Scientifique Boursier I.R.S.I.A.     

Determination of variable atom parameters in ionic crystals by electrostatic calculations

An electrostatic method to determine variable atom parameters in ionic crystals with experimentally determined unit cell parameters and space group is proposed. The atom parameters are usually chosen to give the maximum Madelung constant. However, when these atom parameters generate interatomic distances at least one of which is less than a critical distance, which comes from repulsion between atoms, the atom parameters corresponding to that distance are assigned. Applicability was examined for three cases: TiO₂ (rutile), UCl₃, and β-Rb₂GeF₆. Agreement between the atom parameters of this method and of literature was good. Some discussion is presented on the basis of this method. In ionic crystals, the atoms with variable parameters are set first using the geometrical arrangement which is the most stable in an electrostatic sense, and then “real” distances are fixed under the interaction of repulsive forces.     

Molecular valence calculations on cyclohexasulfur,cycloheptasulfur, and cyclooctasulfur

A theoretical study of homocyclic sulfur species S₆, S₇, and S₈ was carried out using a molecular valence method involving stepwise approximations for orthogonality and core-valence interactions. The valence shell orbitals are described at the minimal basis level. The geometries of the molecules are predicted well as compared with other theoretical studies and the experimental values. The slight overestimation of the SS bond length is typical to the nonpolarized basis sets. The energies of the valence orbitals are well in accord with the conventional all-electron ab initio results. The trend in the stabilities of the three molecules is discussed. The present method provides an attractive possibility to study homocyclic and heterocyclic systems involving heavier chalcogens with no increase of the computing time.     

MC-SCF and CI calculations on four isomers of Si6H6

The four isomers of Si₆ H₆, hexasilabenzene ( 1 ), hexasilaprismane ( 2 ), hexasila-Dewar benzene ( 3 ), and tris-(disilanediyl) ( 4 ), have been investigated, using highly correlated wavefunctions in conjunction with a local pseudopotential approach. At the Hartree-Fock level 1 (D_6h), 2 (D_3h), and 3 (C_2v) are established as minima by means of the harmonic vibrational frequencies. Inclusion of the most important correlation corrections via CI however, provokes a significant puckering of 1 resulting in a D_3d structure, 7.1 kJ/mol below the planar conformer. The detailed analysis shows unambiguously that the propensity to puckering is due solely to the correlation contributions from the σ framework while correlation of the π electrons is of little relevance. Isomer 2 turns out to be the most stable of the investigated isomers lying 41 kJ/mol below 1 (D_3d). Isomers 3 and 4 are more than 100 kJ/mol higher in energy. The Si? Si bond energies of 1 and 2 are determined as 251 and 176 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Localized orbital calculations of the bonding in SO,SO2F2, ClO3F and SOCL2

Localized valence molecular orbitals have been obtained for SO, SO₂F₂, ClO₃F and SOCl₂ by the method due to Boys and Foster. The bonding in these molecules, in which the second row atom is exhibiting an excess valency, is discussed in terms of the form of these localized orbitals. The bonding of the second row atom to an oxygen atom is described by three bent bond orbitals, whilst bonding to a halogen atom is described by a single bond orbital. The participation of 3d functions in the various bonding and nonbonding orbitals is analysed in this localized orbital framework.     

Uniform quality gaussian basis sets for molecular calculations. II. C2 hydrocarbons

This investigation is a continuation of a study on the optimality of MO basis sets of Gaussian functions, when constructed from AO basis sets optimized for the neutral atom or for ions. A formal charge parameter Q is used to adjust AO basis sets to the molecular environment, by virtue of a simple quadratic equation. Calculations are performed on a series of seven C₂ hydrocarbons (C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₂H₆, C₂H₃⁺ (open), C₂H₃⁺ (bridged), C₂H₅⁺ (bridged), and C₂H₄^? radical anion). A simple rule is formulated to give approximate values of the charge parameter Q.     

Uniform quality gaussian basis sets for molecular calculations,I. C1 hydrocarbons

The optimality of MO basis sets of Gaussian functions, when constructed from AO basis sets optimized for the neutral atom or for atom ions, is investigated. A formal charge parameter Q is defined and used to adjust the AO basis sets to the molecular environment, by virtue of a simple quadratic expression. Calculations on a series of C₁ hydrocarbons (CH₂, CH₃, CH₃⁺, CH₃^?, CH₄) using 3G basis sets indicate considerable variations in the optimum Q value with the molecular species. The proposed method offers a simple alternative technique to a full molecular basis set optimization.