Basis-Modified hydrogen atoms as embedding atoms in ab initio chemisorption cluster model calculations on Si surfaces

A comparative and systematic ab initio study of different models simulating the Si (111) surface has been carried out for a variety of embedding hydrogen atoms including unmodified hydrogen atoms and modified hydrogen atoms described with a STO-4G basis set and a Slater exponent optimized to have the cluster atoms as neutral as possible. The study has been extended to some chemisorption processes as Ag and Al on Si (111). The main conclusion of the present work is that neither the electronic structure of the isolated cluster models nor the nature of the chemisorption bond depend on the kind of embedding hydrogen atoms used to saturate the free valences of the cluster edge atoms. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Electronic states of F2CO as studied by electron energy-loss spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

This paper reports on the first measurements of the electron impact electronic excitation cross-sections for carbonyl fluoride, F(2)CO, measured at 30 eV, 10° and 100 eV, 5° scattering angle, while sweeping the energy loss over the range 5.0-18.0 eV. The electronic-state spectroscopy has been investigated and the assignments are supported by quantum chemical calculations. The energy bands above 9.0 eV and the vibrational progressions superimposed upon it have been observed for the first time. Vibronic coupling has been shown to play an important role dictating the nature of the observed excited states, especially for the low-lying energy region (6.0-8.0 eV). New experimental evidence for the 6(1)B(2) state proposed to have its maximum at 12.75 eV according to the vibrational excitation reported in this energy region (11.6-14.0 eV). The n = 3 members of the Rydberg series have been assigned converging to the lowest ionization energy limits, 13.02 eV ((2)B(2)), 14.09 eV ((2)B(1)), 16.10 ((2)B(2)), and 19.15 eV ((2)A(1)) reported for the first time and classified according to the magnitude of the quantum defects (δ).     

Excited-state structure and vibrations of p-diaminobenzene studied by ab initio calculations

The structures and vibrations of p-diaminobenzene (PDAB) in the S₀ and S₁ states have been studied by ab initio quantum-chemical calculations. Results from geometry optimization show that the two stable cis and trans conformers of PDAB are non-planar in the S₀ state. Upon electronic excitation to the S₁ state, enhanced interaction between the ring and the amino substituent causes the molecule to become planar and contract along the long in-plane axis. A detailed analysis of the normal vibrations of PDAB in both states has been done on the basis of the motions of individual atoms as well as reduced masses, force constants and frequencies. The computed frequencies are in reasonably good agreement with the available experimental data.     

Towards accurate ab initio calculations on the vibrational modes of the alkaline earth metal hydrides

The fundamental modes of the alkaline earth metal hydrides (BeH2, MgH2, CaH2) and their dimers, HX(H)2XH, have been studied by vibrational configuration-interaction calculations based on very accurate potential energy surfaces. Comparison with experimental data obtained from matrix isolation and gas phase measurements is provided and the agreement was found to be excellent for the monomers but poor for the dimers. In addition, many fundamental bands are predicted which have not yet been detected experimentally.     

Structure and protonation of some indolizine derivatives studied by ab initio MO calculations

Some gauge invariant atomic orbitals-coupled-perturbed Hartree-Fock (GIAO-CPHF) calculations were performed for seven indolizine derivatives and their monoprotonated forms. Chemical shift, molecular geometry, and charge distribution data are reported for each molecule. The calculations support the results of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy measurements showing that protonation occurs preferentially at N1. The good agreement between the calculated and observed ¹³C and ¹⁵N chemical shifts show that such calculations can be used for chemical shift assignment purposes. Cation structures and probable sites for electrophilic reaction or second protonation are also discussed.     

Fourier space for accurate ab initio RHF band structure calculations on chainlike systems

Minimal basis-set (STO-3G) direct and Fourier space restricted Hartree-Fock (RHF) calculations on the infinite regular (metallic) and alternating chains of lithium molecules, (-Li₂-)_x, are reported to illustrate two advantages of the Fourier representation method: accurate calculation of all lattice summations and faithful reproduction of the genuine features of the RHF approach for metallic cases. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Propionaldehyde: ab initio and semi-empirical calculations

The internal rotation of propionaldehyde about the 1–2 bond has been studied by means of ab initio calculations. The most stable conformer has methyl and carbonyl eclipsed. Increasing the 1–2 dihedral angle to 60°, 120°, and 180° gives energies of 1.7, 0.4, and 0.7 Kcal/mol, respectively. The agreement with force field calculations and with experiment is reasonable.     

Ab initio studies of a water layer at transition metal surfaces

This paper presents a detailed study of a water adlayer adsorbed on Pt(111) and Rh(111) surfaces using periodic density functional theory methods. The interaction between the metal surface and the water molecules is assessed from molecular dynamics simulation data and single point electronic structure calculations of selected configurations. It is argued that the electron bands around the Fermi level of the metal substrate extend over the water adlayer. As a consequence in the presence of the water layer the surface as a whole still maintains its metallic conductivity-a result of a crucial importance for understanding the process of electron transfer through the water/metal interface and electrochemical reactions in particular. Our results also indicate that there exists a weak bond between the hydrogen of the water and the Rh metal atoms as opposed to the widespread (classical) models based on purely repulsive interaction. This suggests that the commonly used classical interactions potentials adopted for large scale molecular dynamics simulations of water/metal interfaces may need revision. Two adsorption models of water on transition metals with the OH bonds pointing towards or away of the surface are also examined. It is shown that due to the very close values of their adsorption energies one should consider the real structure of water on the surface as a mixture of these simple "up" and "down" models. A model for the structure of the adsorbed water layer on Rh(111) is proposed in terms of statistical averages from molecular dynamics simulations.     

Structural characterization of tellurite glasses doped with transition metal oxides using Raman spectra and ab initio calculations

Systems of iron tellurite glasses were prepared by melt quenching with compositions of [85%TeO2+5%Fe2O3+10%TMO], where transition metal oxides (TMO) are TiO2, V2O5, MnO, CoO, NiO and CuO. Furthermore, the main structural units of these samples have been characterized by means of Raman spectra (150-1200 cm(-1)) as well as wavenumber predictions by means of Gaussian 98 ab initio calculations for the proposed site symmetries of TeO4(4-) triagonal bipyramid (C2v) and Te2O7(6-) bridged tetrahedra (Cs and C1). Aided by normal coordinate analysis, calculated vibrational frequencies, Raman scattering activities, force constants in internal coordinates and potential energy distributions (PEDs), revised vibrational assignments for the fundamental modes have been proposed. The main structural features are correlated to the dominant units of triagonal bipyramid (tbp) or bridged tetrahedral (TeO3+1 binds to TeO3 through TeOTe bridge; corner sharing). Moreover, the Raman spectra of the investigated tellurites reflect a structural change from tbp (coordination number is four) to triagonal pyramidal (coordination number is three).     

Carbohydrate-protein recognition probed by density functional theory and ab initio calculations including dispersive interactions

Carbohydrate-protein recognition has been studied by electronic structure calculations of complexes of fucose and glucose with toluene, p-hydroxytoluene and 3-methylindole, the latter aromatic molecules being analogues of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, respectively. We use mainly a density functional theory model with empirical corrections for the dispersion interactions (DFT-D), this method being validated by comparison with a limited number of high level ab initio calculations. We have calculated both binding energies of the complexes as well as their harmonic vibrational frequencies and proton NMR chemical shifts. We find a range of minimum energy structures in which the aromatic group can bind to either of the two faces of the carbohydrate, the binding being dominated by a combination of OH-pi and CH-pi dispersive interactions. For the fucose-toluene and alpha-methyl glucose-toluene complexes, the most stable structures involve OH-pi interactions, which are reflected in a red shift of the corresponding O-H stretching frequency, in good quantitative agreement with experimental data. For those structures where CH-pi interactions are found we predict a corresponding blue shift in the C-H frequency, which parallels the predicted proton NMR shift. We find that the interactions involving 3-methylindole are somewhat greater than those for toluene and p-hydroxytoluene.     

The investigation of ion—formamide interactions by ab initio model calculations

The effect of the cation—molecule and anion—molecule interactions on the frequency shift of the stretching vibrations are discussed in terms of ab initio 4–31 G calculations performed for the model formamide complexes with Li⁺ and F⁻ ions. The bonding of these systems is discussed qualitatively in the light of the localized orbitals.     

Ab initio calculations on some transition metal heptoxides by using effective core potentials

The ab initio molecular structures and vibrational frequencies for several transition metal heptoxides X₂O₇ⁿ⁻ (n=0, 2, 4) were calculated using effective core potentials at the HF and DFT (B3LYP) levels. The relative merits of different valence basis set arrangements were tested by comparison with experimental results available, in particular with gas-phase Re₂O₇ molecular structure and vibrational frequencies. The calculations were then extended to other heptoxides of the VB, VIB and VIIB transition metal groups. The results indicate that a staggered geometry (either D_3d or C₂) is the energy minimum for most of the heptoxides studied. The only exceptions are Mn₂O₇, which clearly prefers an eclipsed C_2v(syn) configuration, and Tc₂O₇, for which C₂ and C_2v(syn) geometries have nearly the same energy.

Particular attention was given to the magnitude of the X–O–X bond angle, as this structural parameter has been a matter of some controversy. The calculated values range from 125° (Mn₂O₇) to 180° (Group VB heptoxides) and depend on the position of the transition metal in the Periodic Table. A tendency for linearity of the X–O–X moiety on going both downwards the group and backwards the period was observed and discussed.     

Structure and dissociation characteristics of metal chloride anion clusters containing redox-active metal ions studied by laser desorption and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations

Copper chloride anion clusters with both copper oxidation states can be made by laser desorption of CuCl(2) crystals. We have used this method to study the dissociation characteristics of such cluster ions. The stability and the structure of the observed complexes were probed by ab initio calculations. These calculations show that many of these complexes are bridged structures. Thus, for the Cu(2)Cl(4) dimer anion, formally [ClCu-Cl-CuCl(2)](-) , with putative mixed copper oxidation states, the two copper ions become equivalent through bridging. Such bridging does not occur when redox inactive metal ions are present as in [ClCu-Cl-CaCl(2)](-) . By observing the dissociation characteristics of a variety of metal chloride cluster anions produced from binary mixtures, the following Cl(-) affinity order is obtained: FeCl(3) > CuCl > CaCl(2) > FeCl(2) > AgCl ≈ CuCl(2) ≈ ZnCl(2) > LiCl. Ab initio calculations on the Cl(-) affinity of selected chlorides confirm this order as do Cl(-) affinity estimates from the experimentally known vertical electron detachment energies of the superhalogens CaCl(3)(-) and LiCl(2)(-) . An equimolar mixture of CuCl(2) and FeCl(3) produces an intense cluster ion, which, from (65)Cu labeling experiments, is best described as FeCl(4)(-)···Cu(+)···(-)Cl(4) Fe, a Cu(+) bound superhalogen FeCl(4)(-) dimer. The Cu(+) ion can be replaced by the redox inactive alkali cations and by Ag(+) but these metal ion bound FeCl(4)(-) dimers show an entirely different fragmentation behavior which is attributed to the absence of bridging. Electrospray ionization (ESI) of CuCl(2) produces an extended series of (CuCl(2))(n) Cl(-) anions (n = 1-11) and so in ESI very limited reduction of Cu(2+) takes place. The (CuCl(2))(n) Cl(-) anions show an abundant dissociation via loss of neutral Cu(2)Cl(4) which according to our ab initio calculations is 9 kcal/mol more stable than two CuCl(2).     

Chemistry at surfaces: from ab initio structures to quantum dynamics

Recent years have witnessed an ever growing interest in theoretically studying chemical processes at surfaces. Apart from the interest in catalysis, electrochemistry, hydrogen economy, green chemistry, atmospheric and interstellar chemistry, theoretical understanding of the molecule–surface chemical bonding and of the microscopic dynamics of adsorption and reaction of adsorbates are of fundamental importance for modeling known processes, understanding new experimental data, predicting new phenomena, controlling reaction pathways. In this work, we review the efforts we have made in the last few years in this exciting field. We first consider the energetics and the structural properties of some adsorbates on metal surfaces, as deduced by converged, first-principles, plane-wave calculations within the slab-supercell approach. These studies comprise water adsorption on Ru(0001), a subject of very intense debate in the past few years, and oxygen adsorption on aluminum, the prototypical example of metal passivation. Next, we address dynamical processes at surfaces with classical and quantum methods. Here the main interest is in hydrogen dynamics on metallic and semi-metallic surfaces, because of its importance for hydrogen storage and interstellar chemistry. Hydrogen sticking is studied with classical and quasi-classical means, with particular emphasis on the relaxation of hot–atoms following dissociative chemisorption. Hot atoms dynamics on metal surfaces is investigated in the reverse, hydrogen recombination process and compared to Eley–Rideal dynamics. Finally, Eley–Rideal, collision-induced desorption, and adsorbate-induced trapping are studied quantum mechanically on a graphite surface, and unexpected quantum effects are observed.     

Vibrational spectrum of BiH3: Six-dimensional variational calculations on high-level ab initio potential energy surfaces

We report a theoretical study of the ground electronic state of BiH₃. The potential energy surface (PES) is obtained from coupled cluster CCSD(T) calculations with a large basis set (289 contracted Gaussian functions). The previously available quartic force field (P4) is extended by adding the dominant quintic and sextic stretching terms to yield improved potential functions in symmetry coordinates (P6) and Morse-type coordinates (M4). Second-order rovibrational perturbation calculations on the P4-PES and full variational calculations on the P6-PES and M4-PES yield almost identical vibrational term values which is rationalized by considering the local mode behavior of BiH₃ and the Morse-type character of the M4-PES. The remaining deviations between the computed and observed vibrational term values must thus be caused by imperfections in the CCSD(T) surface. A refinement of this ab initio surface by a restrained fit to experimental data allows an essentially perfect reproduction of the observed vibrational term values. Variational calculations on this refined surface provide predictions for several overtone and combination bands that have not yet been observed. Dedicated to Hermann Stoll on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

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.     

Dissociation of sulfur oxoacids by two water molecules studied using ab initio and density functional theory calculations

Using ab initio [SCS‐MP2 and CCSD(T)] and density functional theory (M062X) calculations, we have studied the geometries and energies of sulfur oxoacids H₂S_mO₆ (m = 2–4) and their monohydrated and dihydrated clusters. When including the results from previously reported disulfuric acid (H₂S₂O₇) cases, the gas phase acidity is ordered as H₂S₂O₆ < H₂S₃O₆ < H₂S₂O₇ < H₂S₄O₆. The intramolecular H‐bonding, which may indicate the degree of structural flexibility in this molecular series, is an important factor for the order of the gas phase acidity. All these sulfur oxoacids show dissociated (or deprotonated) geometries with only two water molecules, although the energies of the dissociated conformers are ranked differently. All of the dissociated conformers form a unique H‐bonding network structure in which the protonated first water (H₃O⁺) is triply H‐bonded to each oxygen atom of two SO₃ moieties as well as the second water, which in turn is H‐bonded to a SO₃ moiety. H₂S₃O₆ has the best molecular flexibility for adopting such an H‐bonding network structure, and thereby all the low‐lying conformers of H₂S₃O₆(H₂O)₂ are dissociated. In contrast, the least flexible H₂S₂O₆ forms such a structure with a high strain, and dissociation of H₂S₂O₆(H₂O)₂ is found from the third lowest conformer. Although the gas phase acidity of H₂S₄O₆ is the highest in this series, the lowest dissociated conformer and the lowest undissociated conformer of H₂S₄O₆(H₂O)₂ are very close in energy. This is because forming the H‐bonding network structure is somewhat difficult due to the large distance between the two SO₃ moieties.     

Modeling electrochemical interfaces from ab initio molecular dynamics: water adsorption on metal surfaces at potential of zero charge

The origin of the potential difference between the potential of zero charge of a metal/water interface and the work function of the metal is a recurring issue because it is related to how water interacts with metal surface in the absence of surface charge. Recently ab initio molecular dynamics method has been used to model electrochemical interfaces to study interfacial potential and the structure of interface water. Here, we will first introduce the computational standard hydrogen electrode method, which allows for ab initio determination of electrode potentials that can be directly compared with experiment. Then, we will review the recent progress from ab initio molecular dynamics simulation in understanding the interaction between water and metal and its impact on interfacial potential. Finally, we will give our perspective for future development of ab initio computational electrochemistry.     

On the role of d electrons in chemisorption and catalysis on transition metal surfaces

A new model is proposed for the role of the d electrons in chemisorption and catalysis on transition metal surfaces. In this model, the d electrons remain localized on the atoms and do not participate in forming dsp hybrid bonds with the adsorbate. However, electrons in doubly-occupied d orbitals can be promoted to anti-bonding or non-bonding valence orbitals. These additional electronic configurations help increase the binding energy of the adsorbate and help stabilize reaction intermediates. This effect is enhanced by spatial rotation of the singly-occupied d orbitals which become perpendicular to the adsorbate. The singly-occupied d orbitals are also able to recouple their spins during the reaction, allowing the reaction to proceed on otherwise forbidden reaction paths.