Compact contracted Gaussian-type basis sets for halogen atoms. Basis-set superposition effects on molecular properties

Compact, contracted Gaussian basis sets for halogen atoms are generated and tested in ab initio molecular calculations. These basis sets have similar structure to that of Huzinaga and co-workers' (HTS ) sets; however, they give both better atomic total energies and better properties of atomic valence orbitals. These sets, after splitting of valence orbitals and augmenting with polarization functions, provide molecular results that agree well with those given by extended calculations. Basis set superposition error (BSSE ) is calculated using the counterpoise method. BSSE has only slight influence on calculated equilibrium geometry, shape of potential curve, and electric properties (dipole and quadrupole moments) of molecules. However, atomization energies may be significantly changed by the BSSE .     

Counterpoise estimates of the BSSE in the evaluation of protonation energies

Counterpoise estimates of the BSSE in the evaluation of protonation energies have been calculated for basis sets ranging from minimal to split-valence plus polarization quality. Three-, five- and six-membered-ring heterocycles have been chosen as suitable model compounds for this study. Counterpoise corrections are significant, at the minimal basis set and 3–21G levels, when considering both, absolute and relative protonation energies and depend on the nature of the centre which undergoes protonation. In general, second- and third-order counterpoise corrections to the protonation energies are comparable to the corresponding SCF values. BSSE depend not only on the size of the basis sets but also on their quality. The presence in the basis of quite diffuse functions (either sp or d) leads to lower protonation energies and greater BSSE. Relative protonation energies are not substantially affected by BSSE or correlation effects.     

Bond functions,covalent potential curves,and the basis set superposition error

In the current practice of quantum chemistry, it is not clear whether corrections for basis set superposition errors should be applied to the calculation of potential energy curves, in order to improve agreement with experimental data. To examine this question, spectroscopic parameters derived from theoretical potential curves are reported for the homonuclear diatomics C₂, N₂, O₂, and F₂, using a configuration interaction method. Three different basis sets were used, including double zeta plus polarization, triple zeta plus double polarization, and double zeta polarization augmented by bond functions. The bond function basis sets, which were optimized in the preceding paper to obtain accurate dissociation energies, also gave the most accurate parameters. The potential curves were then corrected for basis set superposition error using the counterpoise correction, and the spectroscopic parameters were computed again. The BSSE-corrected curves showed worse agreement with experiment for all properties than the original (uncorrected) curves. The reasons for this finding are discussed. In addition to the numerical results, some problems in the application of the BSSE correction to basis sets containing bond functions are shown. In particular, there is an overcounting of the lowering due to the bond functions, regardless of which type of correction is applied. Also, genuine BSSE affects cannot be separated from energy-lowering effects due to basis set incompleteness, and we postulate that it is the latter which is strongly dominant in the calculation of covalent potential curves. Based on these arguments, two conclusions follow: (1) application of BSSE corrections to potential curves should not be routinely applied in situations where the bonding is strong, and (2) appropriate use of bond functions can lead to systematic improvement in the quality of potential curves.     

平面五元水分子簇的量子化学研究

选用Gaussian03的B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)、DMol3的BLYP/DNP和deMon的BLYP/TZVP等方法计算了甲烷水合物(结构-1)中平面五元水分子簇的结合能和氢键能,作了基组重叠误差(BSSE)和色散能(dispersion)的修正,估算了次级相互作用的贡献.在DMol3程序中使用了大型数值基组DNP,将基组重叠误差降至最低.在Gaussi-an03的B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)计算中,采用平衡法(Counterpoise)校正基组重叠误差.两种计算方法给出了一致的结果,证实了在使用6-31G(d,p)基组时,一对水分子在平衡距离的基组重叠误差高达8 kJ/mol.为估算色散能的贡献,使用了新近发展的包含色散能的密度泛函的DFT程序deMon计算了五元水分子簇.用多种方法计算出了经基组重叠误差和色散能修正的五元水分子簇的分子间结合能和氢键能的较为精确的势能超曲面,为甲烷和其他气体水合物的分子动力学模拟提供了依据.     

Minimal basis sets in calculations of intermolecular interaction energies

Several minimal (7, 3/3) Gaussian basis sets have been used to calculate the energies and some other properties of CH₄ and H₂O. Improved basis sets developed for these molecules have been extended to NH₃ and HF and employed to H₂CO and CH₃OH. Interaction energies between XH_n molecules have been calculated using the old and the new minimal basis sets. The results obtained with the new basis sets are comparable in accuracy to those calculated with significantly more extended basis sets involving polarization functions. Binding energies calculated using the counterpoise method are not much different for the new and the old minimal basis sets, and are likely to be more accurate than the results of much more extended calculations.     

Optimized Slater-type basis sets for the elements 1-118

Seven different types of Slater type basis sets for the elements H (Z = 1) up to E118 (Z = 118), ranging from a double zeta valence quality up to a quadruple zeta valence quality, are tested in their performance in neutral atomic and diatomic oxide calculations. The exponents of the Slater type functions are optimized for the use in (scalar relativistic) zeroth-order regular approximated (ZORA) equations. Atomic tests reveal that, on average, the absolute basis set error of 0.03 kcal/mol in the density functional calculation of the valence spinor energies of the neutral atoms with the largest all electron basis set of quadruple zeta quality is lower than the average absolute difference of 0.16 kcal/mol in these valence spinor energies if one compares the results of ZORA equation with those of the fully relativistic Dirac equation. This average absolute basis set error increases to about 1 kcal/mol for the all electron basis sets of triple zeta valence quality, and to approximately 4 kcal/mol for the all electron basis sets of double zeta quality. The molecular tests reveal that, on average, the calculated atomization energies of 118 neutral diatomic oxides MO, where the nuclear charge Z of M ranges from Z = 1-118, with the all electron basis sets of triple zeta quality with two polarization functions added are within 1-2 kcal/mol of the benchmark results with the much larger all electron basis sets, which are of quadruple zeta valence quality with four polarization functions added. The accuracy is reduced to about 4-5 kcal/mol if only one polarization function is used in the triple zeta basis sets, and further reduced to approximately 20 kcal/mol if the all electron basis sets of double zeta quality are used. The inclusion of g-type STOs to the large benchmark basis sets had an effect of less than 1 kcal/mol in the calculation of the atomization energies of the group 2 and group 14 diatomic oxides. The basis sets that are optimized for calculations using the frozen core approximation (frozen core basis sets) have a restricted basis set in the core region compared to the all electron basis sets. On average, the use of these frozen core basis sets give atomic basis set errors that are approximately twice as large as the corresponding all electron basis set errors and molecular atomization energies that are close to the corresponding all electron results. Only if spin-orbit coupling is included in the frozen core calculations larger errors are found, especially for the heavier elements, due to the additional approximation that is made that the basis functions are orthogonalized on scalar relativistic core orbitals.     

Performance of numerical atom‐centered basis sets in the ground‐state correlated calculations of noncovalent interactions: Water and methane dimer cases

Numerical atom‐centered basis sets (orbitals) (NAO) are known for their compactness and rapid convergence in the Hartree–Fock and density‐functional theory (DFT) molecular electronic‐structure calculations. To date, not much is known about the performance of the numerical sets against the well‐studied Gaussian‐type bases in correlated calculations. In this study, one instance of NAO [Blum et al., The Fritz Haber Institute ab initio Molecular Simulations Package (FHI‐aims), 2009] was thoroughly examined in comparison to the correlation‐consistent basis sets in the ground‐state correlated calculations on the hydrogen‐bonded water and dispersion‐dominated methane dimers. It was shown that these NAO demonstrate improved, comparing to the unaugmented correlation‐consistent based, convergence of interaction energies in correlated calculations. However, the present version of NAO constructed in the DFT calculations on covalently‐bound diatomics exhibits enormous basis‐set superposition error (BSSE)—even with the largest bases. Moreover, these basis sets are essentially unable to capture diffuse character of the wave function, necessary for example, for the complete convergence of correlated interaction energies of the weakly‐bound complexes. The problem is usually treated by addition of the external Gaussian diffuse functions to the NAO part, what indeed allows to obtain accurate results. However, the operation increases BSSE with the resulting hybrid basis sets even further and breaks down the initial concept of NAO (i.e., improved compactness) due to the significant increase in their size. These findings clearly point at the need in the alternative strategies for the construction of sufficiently‐delocalized and BSSE‐balanced purely‐numerical bases adapted for correlated calculations, possible ones were outlined here. For comparison with the considered NAOs, a complementary study on the convergence properties of the correlation‐consistent basis sets, with a special emphasis on BSSE, was also performed. Some of its conclusions may represent independent interest. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

On basis set superposition error corrected stabilization energies for large n-body clusters

In this contribution, we propose an approximate basis set superposition error (BSSE) correction scheme for the site-site function counterpoise and for the Valiron-Mayer function counterpoise correction of second order to account for the basis set superposition error in clusters with a large number of subunits. The accuracy of the proposed scheme has been investigated for a water cluster series at the CCSD(T), CCSD, MP2, and self-consistent field levels of theory using Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets. The BSSE corrected stabilization energies for a series of water clusters are presented. A study regarding the possible savings with respect to computational resources has been carried out as well as a monitoring of the basis set dependence of the approximate BSSE corrections.     

Combined bond-polarization basis sets for accurate determination of dissociation energies

Summary The effect of bond functions on the basis set superposition error (BSSE) is investigated at both SCF (self consistent field) and correlated levels for a number of basis sets using the pairwise additive function counterpoise (PAFC), the site-site function counterpoise (SSFC), and the newly proposed successive reaction counterpoise method (SRCP). BSSEs using bond functions are shown to be roughly twice those without bond functions, whereas the latter may still be quite sizeable. The addition of f functions dramatically decreases the bond function BSSE. The results obtained support the empirical decision in our earlier papers to neglect BSSE altogether.     

Reactivity of haloethanes with hydroxyl radicals: Effects of basis set and correlation energy on reaction energetics

Ab initio calculations on fluoroethane reactions with the hydroxyl radical have been carried out at different levels of theory. The convergence of reaction barriers and reaction enthalpies has been systematically investigated with respect to the size and quality of the basis set and the treatment of correlation energy. The G2 and MP2 barrier heights and reaction enthalpies show the best agreement with the experimental data. The split valence basis sets of triple-zeta quality supplemented by diffuse and polarization functions are necessary to reproduce experimental values for barrier heights and reaction enthalpies at the MP2 level of theory. The full counterpoise correction was used to calculate the basis set superposition error for several standard basis sets, including polarization and diffuse functions. The smallest counterpoise corrections are associated with basis sets that contain polarization and diffuse functions, the diffuse functions being the most effective in reducing BSSE. However, in our case, the uncorrected barrier heights are in better agreement with experimental results than the counterpoise-corrected data. Thus, at the MP2 level of theory, which seems to be dictated for larger electronic systems of chemical interest, the optimal approach is to increase the basis set to the maximum size affordable and to use results without counterpoise corrections for the calculation of reaction barriers. A viable alternative is the use of G2 theory because its results for the barrier heights and reaction enthalpies are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 18: 1190–1199     

A geometrical correction for the inter- and intra-molecular basis set superposition error in Hartree-Fock and density functional theory calculations for large systems

A semi-empirical counterpoise-type correction for basis set superposition error (BSSE) in molecular systems is presented. An atom pair-wise potential corrects for the inter- and intra-molecular BSSE in supermolecular Hartree-Fock (HF) or density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This geometrical counterpoise (gCP) denoted scheme depends only on the molecular geometry, i.e., no input from the electronic wave-function is required and hence is applicable to molecules with ten thousands of atoms. The four necessary parameters have been determined by a fit to standard Boys and Bernadi counterpoise corrections for Hobza's S66×8 set of non-covalently bound complexes (528 data points). The method's target are small basis sets (e.g., minimal, split-valence, 6-31G*), but reliable results are also obtained for larger triple-ζ sets. The intermolecular BSSE is calculated by gCP within a typical error of 10%-30% that proves sufficient in many practical applications. The approach is suggested as a quantitative correction in production work and can also be routinely applied to estimate the magnitude of the BSSE beforehand. The applicability for biomolecules as the primary target is tested for the crambin protein, where gCP removes intramolecular BSSE effectively and yields conformational energies comparable to def2-TZVP basis results. Good mutual agreement is also found with Jensen's ACP(4) scheme, estimating the intramolecular BSSE in the phenylalanine-glycine-phenylalanine tripeptide, for which also a relaxed rotational energy profile is presented. A variety of minimal and double-ζ basis sets combined with gCP and the dispersion corrections DFT-D3 and DFT-NL are successfully benchmarked on the S22 and S66 sets of non-covalent interactions. Outstanding performance with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) of 0.51 kcal/mol (0.38 kcal/mol after D3-refit) is obtained at the gCP-corrected HF-D3/(minimal basis) level for the S66 benchmark. The gCP-corrected B3LYP-D3/6-31G* model chemistry yields MAD=0.68 kcal/mol, which represents a huge improvement over plain B3LYP/6-31G* (MAD=2.3 kcal/mol). Application of gCP-corrected B97-D3 and HF-D3 on a set of large protein-ligand complexes prove the robustness of the method. Analytical gCP gradients make optimizations of large systems feasible with small basis sets, as demonstrated for the inter-ring distances of 9-helicene and most of the complexes in Hobza's S22 test set. The method is implemented in a freely available FORTRAN program obtainable from the author's website.     

Approximations to complete basis set-extrapolated, highly correlated non-covalent interaction energies

The first-principles calculation of non-covalent (particularly dispersion) interactions between molecules is a considerable challenge. In this work we studied the binding energies for ten small non-covalently bonded dimers with several combinations of correlation methods (MP2, coupled-cluster single double, coupled-cluster single double (triple) (CCSD(T))), correlation-consistent basis sets (aug-cc-pVXZ, X = D, T, Q), two-point complete basis set energy extrapolations, and counterpoise corrections. For this work, complete basis set results were estimated from averaged counterpoise and non-counterpoise-corrected CCSD(T) binding energies obtained from extrapolations with aug-cc-pVQZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. It is demonstrated that, in almost all cases, binding energies converge more rapidly to the basis set limit by averaging the counterpoise and non-counterpoise corrected values than by using either counterpoise or non-counterpoise methods alone. Examination of the effect of basis set size and electron correlation shows that the triples contribution to the CCSD(T) binding energies is fairly constant with the basis set size, with a slight underestimation with CCSD(T)∕aug-cc-pVDZ compared to the value at the (estimated) complete basis set limit, and that contributions to the binding energies obtained by MP2 generally overestimate the analogous CCSD(T) contributions. Taking these factors together, we conclude that the binding energies for non-covalently bonded systems can be accurately determined using a composite method that combines CCSD(T)∕aug-cc-pVDZ with energy corrections obtained using basis set extrapolated MP2 (utilizing aug-cc-pVQZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets), if all of the components are obtained by averaging the counterpoise and non-counterpoise energies. With such an approach, binding energies for the set of ten dimers are predicted with a mean absolute deviation of 0.02 kcal/mol, a maximum absolute deviation of 0.05 kcal/mol, and a mean percent absolute deviation of only 1.7%, relative to the (estimated) complete basis set CCSD(T) results. Use of this composite approach to an additional set of eight dimers gave binding energies to within 1% of previously published high-level data. It is also shown that binding within parallel and parallel-crossed conformations of naphthalene dimer is predicted by the composite approach to be 9% greater than that previously reported in the literature. The ability of some recently developed dispersion-corrected density-functional theory methods to predict the binding energies of the set of ten small dimers was also examined.     

Hydrogen bonding in the urea dimers and adenine–thymine DNA base pair: anharmonic effects in the intermolecular H-bond and intramolecular H-stretching vibrations

The equilibrium structures, binding energies, vibrational harmonic frequencies, and the anharmonic corrections for two different (cyclic and asymmetric) urea dimers and for the adenine–thymine DNA base pair system have been studied using the second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) method and different density functional theory (DFT) exchange–correlation (XC) functionals (BLYP, B3LYP, PBE, HCTH407, KMLYP, and BH and HLYP) with the D95V, D95V**, and D95V++** basis sets. The widely used a posteriori Boys–Bernardi or counterpoise correction scheme for basis set superposition error (BSSE) has been included in the calculations to take into account the BSSE effects during geometry optimization (on structure), on binding energies and on the different levels of approximation used for calculating the vibrational frequencies. The results obtained with the ab initio MP2 method are compared with those calculated with different DFT XC functionals; and finally the suitability of these DFT XC functionals to describe intermolecular hydrogen bonds as well as harmonic frequencies and the anharmonic corrections is assessed and discussed.     

An improved generator coordinate Hartree–Fock method applied to the choice of contracted Gaussian basis sets for first‐row diatomic molecules

Accurate Gaussian basis sets (18s for Li and Be and 20s11p for the atoms from B to Ne) for the first‐row atoms, generated with an improved generator coordinate Hartree–Fock method, were contracted and enriched with polarization functions. These basis sets were tested for B₂, C₂, BeO, CN⁻, LiF, N₂, CO, BF, NO⁺, O₂, and F₂. At the Hartree–Fock (HP), second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2), fourth‐order Møller–Plesset (MP4), and density functional theory (DFT) levels, the dipole moments, bond lengths, and harmonic vibrational frequencies were studied, and at the MP2, MP4, and DFT levels, the dissociation energies were evaluated and compared with the corresponding experimental values and with values obtained using other contracted Gaussian basis sets and numerical HF calculations. For all diatomic molecules studied, the differences between our total energies, obtained with the largest contracted basis set [6s5p3d1f], and those calculated with the numerical HF methods were always less than 3.2 mhartree. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 78: 15–23, 2000     

Performance of numerical basis set DFT for aluminum clusters

We have investigated and compared the ability of numerical and Gaussian-type basis sets combined with density functional theory (DFT) to accurately describe the geometries, binding energies, and electronic properties of aluminum clusters, Al12XHn (X = Al, Si; n = 0, 1, 2). DFT results are compared against high-level benchmark calculations and experimental data where available. Properties compared include geometries, binding energies, ionization potentials, electron affinities, and HOMO-LUMO gaps. Generally, the PBE functional with the double numerical basis set with polarization (DNP) performs very well against experiment and the analytical basis sets for considerably less computational expense.     

羰基镍簇Ni(CO)n(n=1-4)的结构和Ni-CO键解离性质的密度泛函理论研究

在密度泛函理论框架下, 应用不同泛函计算了配合物Ni(CO)n(n=1~4)的平衡几何构型和振动频率. 考察了泛函和基组重叠误差对预测Ni—CO键解离能的影响. 计算结果表明, 用杂化泛函能得到与实验一致的优化几何构型和较合理的振动频率. 对Ni(CO)n(n=2~4)体系, 用“纯”泛函, 如BP86和BPW91, 可得到与CCSD(T)更符合、 并与实验值接近的解离能. 当解离产物出现单个金属原子或离子(如金属羰基配合物的完全解离)时, BSSE校正项的计算中应保持金属部分的电子结构一致. 只有考虑配体基组和不考虑配体基组两种情况下金属的电子构型与配合物中金属的构型一致时, 才能得到合理的BSSE校正, 从而预测合理的解离能.     

Newly developed basis sets for density functional calculations

Optimized contracted Gaussian basis sets of double-zeta valence polarized (DZVP) quality for first-row transition metals are presented. The DZVP functions were optimized using the PWP86 generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functional and the B3LYP hybrid functional. For a careful analysis of the basis sets performance the transition metal atoms and cations excitation energies were calculated and compared with the experimental ones. The calculated values were also compared with those obtained using the previously available DZVP basis sets developed at the local-density functional level. Because the new basis sets work better than the previous ones, possible reasons of this behavior are analyzed. The newly developed basis sets also provide a good estimation of other atomic properties such as ionization energies.     

Consistent Gaussian basis sets of triple‐zeta valence with polarization quality for solid‐state calculations

Consistent basis sets of triple‐zeta valence with polarization quality for main group elements and transition metals from row one to three have been derived for periodic quantum‐chemical solid‐state calculations with the crystalline‐orbital program CRYSTAL. They are based on the def2‐TZVP basis sets developed for molecules by the Ahlrichs group. Orbital exponents and contraction coefficients have been modified and reoptimized, to provide robust and stable self‐consistant field (SCF) convergence for a wide range of different compounds. We compare results on crystal structures, cohesive energies, and solid‐state reaction enthalpies with the modified basis sets, denoted as pob‐TZVP, with selected standard basis sets available from the CRYSTAL basis set database. The average deviation of calculated lattice parameters obtained with a selected density functional, the hybrid method PW1PW, from experimental reference is smaller with pob‐TZVP than with standard basis sets, in particular for metallic systems. The effects of basis set expansion by diffuse and polarization functions were investigated for selected systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Relativistic Gaussian basis sets for radon through plutonium

Summary Relativistic Gaussian basis sets of neutral atoms Rn-Pu and ions Th⁺⁴, U⁺³ and Pu⁺³ in the configurations of average energies are presented. The exponent parameters of the basis sets are determined by least-squares fitting to the numerical Dirac-Fock wave functions. The total energies obtained are within 0.155 a.u. of the Dirac-Fock limits and the qualities of the basis sets are between double-zeta and triple-zeta in the valence parts. Using the exponent parameters the Breit interaction energies have been calculated by perturbation theory and the self-consistent field treatment.