HD isotope effect on the dihydrogen bond of NH+4...BeH2 by ab initio path integral molecular dynamics simulation

In order to investigate the HD isotope effect on a dihydrogen bonded cation system, we have studied NH+4...BeH2 and its isotopomers by ab initio path integral molecular dynamics. It is found that the dihydrogen bond can be exchanged by NH+(4) rotation. The deuterated isotopomer (ND+(4)...BeD(2); DD) can exchange the dihydrogen bond more easily than other isotopomers such as (NH+4...BeH2; HH). This unusual isotope effect is ascribed to the "quantum localization" which occurs when the effective energy barrier for the rotational mode becomes higher by the zero point energy of other modes. We also found that the binding energy of dihydrogen bonds for DD species is the smallest among the isotopomers.     

Quantum path integral simulation of isotope effects in the melting temperature of ice Ih

The isotope effect in the melting temperature of ice Ih has been studied by free energy calculations within the path integral formulation of statistical mechanics. Free energy differences between isotopes are related to the dependence of their kinetic energy on the isotope mass. The water simulations were performed by using the q-TIP4P/F model, a point charge empirical potential that includes molecular flexibility and anharmonicity in the OH stretch of the water molecule. The reported melting temperature at ambient pressure of this model (T=251?K) increases by 6.5±0.5 and 8.2±0.5?K upon isotopic substitution of hydrogen by deuterium and tritium, respectively. These temperature shifts are larger than the experimental ones (3.8 and 4.5 K, respectively). In the classical limit, the melting temperature is nearly the same as that for tritiated ice. This unexpected behavior is rationalized by the coupling between intermolecular interactions and molecular flexibility. This coupling makes the kinetic energy of the OH stretching modes larger in the liquid than in the solid phase. However, the opposite behavior is found for intramolecular modes, which display larger kinetic energy in ice than in liquid water.     

Spectroscopic fingerprints of toroidal nuclear quantum delocalization via ab initio path integral simulations

We investigate the quantum‐mechanical delocalization of hydrogen in rotational symmetric molecular systems. To this purpose, we perform ab initio path integral molecular dynamics simulations of a methanol molecule to characterize the quantum properties of hydrogen atoms in a representative system by means of their real‐space and momentum‐space densities. In particular, we compute the spherically averaged momentum distribution n(k) and the pseudoangular momentum distribution n(k_θ). We interpret our results by comparing them to path integral samplings of a bare proton in an ideal torus potential. We find that the hydroxyl hydrogen exhibits a toroidal delocalization, which leads to characteristic fingerprints in the line shapes of the momentum distributions. We can describe these specific spectroscopic patterns quantitatively and compute their onset as a function of temperature and potential energy landscape. The delocalization patterns in the projected momentum distribution provide a promising computational tool to address the intriguing phenomenon of quantum delocalization in condensed matter and its spectroscopic characterization. As the momentum distribution n(k) is also accessible through Nuclear Compton Scattering experiments, our results will help to interpret and understand future measurements more thoroughly. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Proton transport in triflic acid pentahydrate studied via ab initio path integral molecular dynamics

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid hydrates provide a well-defined system to study proton dissociation and transport in perfluorosulfonic acid membranes, typically used as the electrolyte in hydrogen fuel cells, in the limit of minimal water. The triflic acid pentahydrate crystal (CF(3)SO(3)H·5H(2)O) is sufficiently aqueous that it contains an extended three-dimensional water network. Despite it being extended, however, long-range proton transport along the network is structurally unfavorable and would require considerable rearrangement. Nevertheless, the triflic acid pentahydrate crystal system can provide a clear picture of the preferred locations of local protonic defects in the water network, which provides insights about related structures in the disordered, low-hydration environment of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the proton defect is most likely to transfer to the closest water that has the expected presolvation and only contains water in its first solvation shell. Unlike the tetrahydrate of triflic acid (CF(3)SO(3)H·4H(2)O), there is no evidence of the proton preferentially transferring to a water molecule bridging two of the sulfonate groups. However, this could be an artifact of the crystal structure since the only such water molecule is separated from the proton by long O-O distances. Hydrogen bonding criteria, using the two-dimensional potential of mean force, are extracted. Radial distribution functions, free energy profiles, radii of gyration, and the root-mean-square displacement computed from ab initio path integral molecular dynamics simulations reveal that quantum effects do significantly extend the size of the protonic defect and increase the frequency of proton transfer events by nearly 15%. The calculated IR spectra confirm that the dominant protonic defect mostly exists as an Eigen cation but contains some Zundel ion characteristics. Chain lengths and ring sizes determined from the hydrogen bond network, counted using graph theory techniques, are only moderately sensitive to quantum effects. Deliberately introducing a structural defect into the native crystal yields a protonic defect with one hydrogen bond to a sulfonate group that was found to be metastable for at least 10 ps.     

Direct assessment of quantum nuclear effects on hydrogen bond strength by constrained-centroid ab initio path integral molecular dynamics

The impact of quantum nuclear effects on hydrogen (H-) bond strength has been inferred in earlier work from bond lengths obtained from path integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) simulations. To obtain a direct quantitative assessment of such effects, we use constrained-centroid PIMD simulations to calculate the free energy changes upon breaking the H-bonds in dimers of HF and water. Comparing ab initio simulations performed using PIMD and classical nucleus molecular dynamics (MD), we find smaller dissociation free energies with the PIMD method. Specifically, at 50 K, the H-bond in (HF)(2) is about 30% weaker when quantum nuclear effects are included, while that in (H(2)O)(2) is about 15% weaker. In a complementary set of simulations, we compare unconstrained PIMD and classical nucleus MD simulations to assess the influence of quantum nuclei on the structures of these systems. We find increased heavy atom distances, indicating weakening of the H-bond consistent with that observed by direct calculation of the free energies of dissociation.     

Theoretical ab initio study of the thermal decomposition of 3-cyclopentenone

Ab initio Molecular Orbital theory has been applied to the study of a cheletropic reaction: the thermal decomposition of 3-cyclopentenone. An activation enthalpy of 50.28 Kcal mol¹, at 298.15 K, has been calculated at the MP2/6-31G^* level of approximation, in good agreement with the experimental one. A C_s transition state in the synchronic reaction path has been characterized.     

Structure and dynamics of sulfate ion in aqueous solution--an ab initio QMCF MD simulation and large angle X-ray scattering study

The hydrated sulfate ion has been characterized in aqueous solution in structural and dynamic aspects using ab initio quantum mechanical charge field (QMCF) molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and large angle X-ray scattering (LAXS) methods. The LAXS data show an average coordination number of the sulfate ion of up to 12 water molecules bound through hydrogen bonding, while the QMCF MD simulation displays a wide range of coordination numbers between 8 and 14 with an average value of approximately 11. The Os...Ow distance cannot be distinguished from the Ow...Ow distance in the LAXS experiment; the weighted mean O...O distance is 2.880(10) A. In the simulation, the Os...Ow and Ow...Ow distances are found to be very similar, namely, 2.86 and 2.84 A, respectively. The S-Os bond and S...Ow distance have been determined by the LAXS experiment as 1.495(6) and 3.61(2) A, respectively, indicating an average nearly tetrahedral S-Os...Ow angle. The approximately 5% deviations of simulation distances (1.47 and 3.82 A) from the experimental ones can probably be ascribed to the neglect of correlation energy in the quantum mechanical method. The mean residence time of water ligands at O atoms, 2.57 ps, is longer than that in pure water, 1.7 ps, characterizing the sulfate ion as a weak structure maker.     

Possible gas-phase ion pairs in amine-HCl complexes. An ab initio theoretical study

Ab initio MO calculations were performed for complexes between HCl and NH₃, CH₃NH₂, (CH₃)₂NH and (CH₃) ₃N. SCF geometry optimization for the latter three complexes gives double-minimum potential surfaces, which become single- minimum surfaces when electron correlation is considered. It is proposed that (CH₃)₃NHCl may be an ion pair in the gas phase.     

An ab initio study of the reaction of ammonium ion with hydride ion and lithium hydride

Both the abstraction and substitution mechanisms for the reaction of NH⁺₄ with H^? and the abstraction mechanisms for the reaction with LiH in the gas phase have been investigated by theoretical methods. LiH results to be a better reagent and reactions with and without scrambling are competitive in accordance with experimental findings.     

Atomistic simulations of hydrated nafion and temperature effects on hydronium ion mobility

The effects of hydration level and temperature on the nanostructure of an atomistic model of a Nafion (DuPont) membrane and the vehicular transport of hydronium ions and water molecules were examined using classical molecular dynamics simulations. Through the determination and analysis of structural and dynamical parameters such as density, radial distribution functions, coordination numbers, mean square deviations, and diffusion coefficients, we identify that hydronium ions play an important role in modifying the hydration structure near the sulfonate groups. In the regime of low level of hydration, short hydrogen bonded linkages made of water molecules and sometimes hydronium ions alone give a more constrained structure among the sulfonate side chains. The diffusion coefficient for water was found to be in good accord with experimental data. The diffusion coefficient for the hydronium ions was determined to be much smaller (6-10 times) than that for water. Temperature was found to have a significant effect on the absolute value of the diffusion coefficients for both water and hydronium ions.     

Monte Carlo simulation of liquid hydroxylamine using ab initio intermolecular potential functions

A potential model for intermolecular interactions between hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) molecules based on ab initio quantum mechanical calculations is reviewed and critically assessed by analyzing results from a Monte Carlo simulation of liquid hydroxylamine. The liquid structure is studied in detail using radial, energy, and angular distribution functions, coordination numbers, and their distribution. Results indicate a large first solvation shell (5.3 Å), which contains 13 molecules, out of which only 4 are truly bonded by nonlinear, low-energy hydrogen bonds. These are of either the OH…O or the OH…N type, as NH…O and NH…N linear bonds are considerably suppressed, and no cyclic dimers are found. The dependence of the structural and physical properties on the simulation characteristics has also been investigated.     

Theoretical ab initio study of NO and CO depollution reaction catalyzed by copper

The reaction between NO and CO leading to N₂ and CO₂ is the most studied depollution process of the former molecules. An ab initio study of a multistage mechanism of this reaction catalyzed by copper was performed at SCF level. Many intermediates intervene in the proposed mechanism, such as CuCO, CuNO, CuO, and NCO. Geometrical parameters, atomic charge, dipole moment, vibrational normal mode wave number, and dissociation energy of intervening molecules were calculated. Thermochemistry parameters (ΔH, ΔG, ΔS) were also obtained. Transition state has also been determined and has allowed us to discuss the reaction mechanism. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

卤代甲烷的赝势从头算研究I. CH~3X(X=F,Cl, Br,I)的化学键 和电离势

我们使用相对论赝势从头计算方法系统地研究了CH~3X(X=F,Cl,Br,I)系列分子的电子结构及其变化规律,并根据Koopmans定理指定了光电子能谱。     

Semiempirical hyperfine structure and ab initio isotope shift predictions in Zr II

The fine structure of the even‐parity low configurations has been reanalyzed by simultaneous parameterization of the one‐ and two‐body interactions for the model space (4d + 5s)³. Using the calculated eigenfunctions, the magnetic‐dipole A hyperfine constants for the whole 37 existing levels of the model space were predicted and compared partially to those obtained using relativistic configuration‐interaction approach. Moreover, volume shifts (VS) and specific mass shifts (SMS) of numerous configurations of singly ionised zirconium are deduced by means of ab initio estimates combined with a few experimental isotope shift data available in literature: VS(4d¹5s²) = 840 MHz, VS(4d³) = ?649 MHz, VS(4d¹5p²) = ?387 MHz, VS(5s²5p¹) = 1250 MHz, and SMS(4d¹5s²) = ?634 MHz, SMS(4d³) = 484 MHz, SMS(5s²5p¹) = ?1459 MHz, referred to 4d²5s for the pair Zr⁹⁰–Zr⁹². © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Li ion diffusion mechanisms in LiFePO4: an ab initio molecular dynamics study

The mechanisms for thermal (self) diffusion of Li ions in fully lithiated LiFePO(4) have been investigated with spin polarized ab initio molecular dynamics calculations. The effect of electron correlation is taken into account with the GGA+U formalism. It was found that Li ion diffusion is not a continuous process but through a series of jumps from one site to another. A dominant process is the hopping between neighboring Li sites around the PO(4) groups, which results in a zigzag pathway along the crystallographic b-axis. This observation is in agreement with a recent neutron diffraction experiment. A second process involves the collaborative movements of the Fe ions leading to the formation of antisite defects and promotes Li diffusion across the Li ion channels. The finding of the second mechanism demonstrates the benefit of ab initio molecular dynamics simulation in sampling diffusion pathways that may not be anticipated.     

The influence of temperature and density functional models in ab initio molecular dynamics simulation of liquid water

The performance of density functional theory methods for the modeling of condensed aqueous systems is hard to predict and validation by ab initio molecular simulation of liquid water is absolutely necessary. In order to assess the reliability of these tests, the effect of temperature on the structure and dynamics of liquid water has been characterized with 16 simulations of 20 ps in the temperature range of 280-380 K. We find a pronounced influence of temperature on the pair correlation functions and on the diffusion constant including nonergodic behavior on the time scale of the simulation in the lower temperature range (which includes ambient temperature). These observations were taken into account in a consistent comparison of a series of density functionals (BLYP, PBE, TPSS, OLYP, HCTH120, HCTH407). All simulations were carried out using an ab initio molecular dynamics approach in which wave functions are represented using Gaussians and the density is expanded in an auxiliary basis of plane waves. Whereas the first three functionals show similar behavior, it is found that the latter three functionals yield more diffusive dynamics and less structure.     

Structure and dynamics of phosphate ion in aqueous solution: an ab initio QMCF MD study

A simulation of phosphate in aqueous solution was carried out employing the new QMCF MD approach which offers the possibility to investigate composite systems with the accuracy of a QMMM method but without the time consuming creation of solute-solvent potential functions. The data of the simulations give a clear picture of the hydration shells of the phosphate anion. The first shell consists of 13 water molecules and each oxygen of the phosphate forms in average three hydrogens bonds to different solvent molecules. Several structural parameters such as radial distribution functions and coordination number distributions allow to fully characterize the embedding of the highly charged phosphate ion in the solvent water. The dynamics of the hydration structure of phosphate are described by mean residence times of the solvent molecules in the first hydration shell and the water exchange rate.     

An ab initio study of the ground and low-lying excited states of the permanganate ion

The results of ab-initio self-consistent field calculations for the ground state and configuration interaction calculations for the excited states of the permanganate ion are presented and discussed. The calculations were performed using two large basis sets of contracted gaussian functions, and singly excited configurations were used in the calculations of the excited states. Fair agreement is obtained between these results and the experimental absorption spectra.