The 6-31G++ basis set: An economical basis set for correlated wavefunctions

The 6-31G ⁺⁺ basis set is described. This basis set is very similar to the existing 6-31G ^** set but is somewhat smaller through the use of five (rather than six) second-order Gaussians (d functions) and has polarization function exponents optimized for correlated rather than Hartree–Fock wavefunctions. The performance of 6-31G ⁺⁺ is compared with that of the 6-31G ^** and 6-31G ^** basis sets through calculation of the geometries and atomization energies for the set of molecules LiH, FH, H₂O, NH₃, CH₄, N₂, CO, HCN, and HCCH.     

Geometrical basis set for molecular computations

To simplify the computation of many center two-electron integrals in large molecules a new type of basis set - called geometrical - is proposed. Its flexibility is tested for atoms from Z = 1 to 38 and for positive and negative ions. This basis is designed mainly for improving large-molecule computations but we have tested it with an accuracte computation for H₂O.     

Correlation balance in basis sets for electronic structure calculations

The balanced addition of polarization functions to the 6–31G and 6–311G basis sets for correlated wave functions is evaluated using bond energy predictions at the MP 2 and full MP 4 levels as a measure of correlation-balanced basis sets. The homolytic dissociations of the XH bonds in H₂, CH₄, NH₃, H₂O, and HF and the XY bonds in C₂H₆, NH₂NH₂, HOOH, and CH₃OH are used as the basis for the evaluation. It is found that correlation balance is achieved for HH, XH, and XY bonds, particularly at the MP 2 level, only if at least as many polarization sets, and sometimes more, are added to the hydrogens as are added to the heavy atoms.     

On the use of local basis sets for localized molecular orbitals

Two procedures are discussed for the direct variational optimization of localized molecular orbitals which are expanded in local subsets of the molecular basis set. It is shown that a Newton-Raphson approach is more efficient than an iterative diagonalization scheme. The effect of the basis-set truncation on the quality ofab-initio SCF results is investigated for Be, Li₂, HF, H₂O, NH₃, CH₄ and C₂H₆.     

Optimization of Gaussian basis sets for Dirac-Hartree-Fock calculations

We investigate the optimization of Gaussian basis sets for relativistic calculations within the framework of the restricted Dirac-Hartree-Fock (DHF) method for atoms. We compare results for Rn of nonrelativistic and relativistic basis set optimizations with a finite nuclear-size. Optimization of separate sets for each spin-orbit component shows that the basis set demands for the lower j component are greater than for the higher j component. In particular, the p _1/2 set requires almost as many functions as the s _1/2 set. This implies that for the development of basis sets for heavy atoms, the symmetry type for which a given number of functions is selected should be based on j, not on l, as has been the case in most molecular calculations performed to date.     

Relativistic correlating basis sets for 57La and 89Ac

Developed and reported are compact yet efficient correlating basis sets for the ₅₇La and ₈₉Ac atoms, missing in the literature. Good performance of these correlating sets is exemplified in molecular applications to diatomic oxides and fluorides. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

A correlation-consistent basis set for Fe

 A series of correlation-consistent basis sets are developed for Fe. Our best computed ⁵F–⁵D separation in the Fe atom is in excellent agreement with experiment. Our best estimate for the FeCO D ₀ value is in good agreement with experiment. The ⁵Σ⁻–³Σ⁻ separation in FeCO has an error of 3.6 kcal/mol; while the origin of this error is not clear, it is probably not due to the basis set. Received: 5 March 2001 / Accepted: 2 May 2001 / Published online: 9 August 2001     

A contracted bromine basis set for use in calculation of molecular energies

A contracted [9s6p2d] basis set derived from Dunning's (14s11p5d) primitive Gaussian set for bromine has been used in ab initio molecular orbital calculations of the dissociation energies of HBr, CH₃Br, and Br₂, the ionization potentials of Br and HBr, and the electron affinity of Br. The calculated energies are within 0.1 eV of the experimental values. This is similar to the accuracy obtained in a previous study, also using a contracted [9s6p2d] basis set, of the dissociation and ionization energies of the GeH_n, AsH_n, and SeH_n hydrides.     

Model for measuring excitation temperatures on a relative basis without transition probabilities

A variation of the conventional slope or two-line method is proposed for determining excitation temperature (T_exc) by atomic emission. T_exc is measured relative to some known reference value, which can be derived either from the emission source itself or from some reference line source of known temperature. Measurement of T_exc with a relative error of 1–10% should be possible for reasonable experimental uncertainties in T_ref and the measured line intensities. The proposed method is useful for some interesting and important experiments with emission lines for which the transition probabilities are either unknown or of questionable accuracy. Such experiments include measuring the dependence of T_exc on observation position or operating parameters, determining whether or not different emitting species have the same T_exc, and identifying possible deviations from a Boltzmann distribution of excited state populations within a particular emitting species.     

The construction of graph models for calculations of the properties of substitution isomers of basis structures on the basis of additivity of energy contributions

A method for the construction of additive models for calculations of the properties of substitution isomers of basis structures is described for the example of a series of X-substituted methylsilanes CH_{3 − k} X _k -SiH_{3 − l} X _l (where X = CH₃, F, Cl, …, k, l = 0, 1, 2, 3). The method is based on similarity of subgraphs in graphs of several molecules and the arrangement of polygonal numbers (triangular, tetrahedral) of the Pascal triangle. Parameters taking into account multiple nonvalence interactions (-C-Si<, >C-Si<, …) through two atoms along the molecular chain of an X-substituted methylsilane (X = CH₃) were for the first time explicitly included in the calculation scheme. Taking these interactions into account allows us to completely differentiate all the structural isomers of certain molecules and obtain numerical parameter values for predicting properties P under consideration in various approximations. Numerical calculations of Δ_f H _{g,298 K}^o were performed for 16 alkylsilanes (as X-substituted methylsilanes), including 7 compounds not studied experimentally.     

Relativistic Gaussian basis sets for molecular calculations: Fully optimized single‐family exponent basis sets for H?Hg

Relativistic single‐family exponent Gaussian basis sets for molecular calculations are presented for the 80 atoms ₁H through ₈₀Hg. The exponent parameters shared by Gaussian basis functions of all symmetry species are fully optimized. Two nucleus models of uniformly charged sphere and Gaussian charge distribution are considered and two kinds of basis sets are generated accordingly. The total energy errors are less than 2 mhartree in any atoms. Some of the present basis sets include small variational collapse (or prolapse), but test calculations show that they could be reliably applied to molecular calculations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 48–52, 2006     

All-electron scalar relativistic basis sets for the 6p elements

New segmented all-electron relativistically contracted (SARC) basis sets have been developed for the elements ₈₁Tl–₈₆Rn, thus extending the SARC family of all-electron basis sets to include the 6p block. The SARC basis sets are separately contracted for the second-order Douglas–Kroll–Hess and the zeroth-order regular approximation scalar relativistic Hamiltonians. Their compact size and segmented construction are best suited to the requirements of routine density functional theory (DFT) applications. Evaluation of the basis sets is performed in terms of incompleteness and contraction errors, orbital properties, ionization energies, electron affinities, and atomic polarizabilities. From these atomic metrics and from computed basis set superposition errors for a series of homonuclear dimers, it is shown that the SARC basis sets achieve a good balance between accuracy and size for efficient all-electron scalar relativistic DFT applications.     

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.     

High-quality Gaussian basis sets for fourth-row atoms

Summary Energy-optimized Gaussian basis sets of triple-zeta quality for the atoms Rb-Xe have been derived. Two series of basis sets are developed; (24s 16p 10d) and (26s 16p 10d) sets which we expand to 13d and 19p functions as the 4d and 5p shells become occupied. For the atoms lighter than Cd, the (24s 16p 10d) sets with triple-zeta valence distributions are higher in energy than the corresponding double-zeta distribution. To ensure a triple-zeta distribution and a global energy minimum the (26s 16p 10d) sets were derived. Total atomic energies from the largest basis sets are between 198 and 284E _H above the numerical Hartree-Fock energies.     

Gaussian expansions of minimal STO basis for calculations in molecular quantum mechanics

By means of minimal basis SCF calculations for HF, H₂O, NH₃ and CH₄ different expansions of Slater orbitals (STO) in terms of Gaussian orbitals (GTO) are tested in order to find an appropriate compromise between sufficient accuracy of the results and reasonable computing times. The least squares fit of the GTO expansion to STO does not appear to have any advantages over the expansion based on a variational procedure. It turns out that for hydrogens an expansion of the 1s orbital in terms of three GTO is quite sufficient, whereas for first row atoms an expansion of the 1s orbital in terms of three to five GTO, of the 2s orbital in terms of two GTO and of the 2p orbitals in terms of three GTO seems to be adequate.

---

Zusammenfassung An Hand von SCF-Rechnungen mit minimaler Basis für die Moleküle HF, H₂O, NH₃ und CH₄ wurden verschiedene Entwicklungen von Slater-Orbitalen (STO) nach Gauß-Orbitalen (GTO) getestet, um einen geeigneten Kompromiß zwischen ausreichender Genauigkeit der Ergebnisse und vertretbaren Rechenzeiten zu finden. Es zeigt sich, daß die Entwicklung der STO nach GTO mit Hilfe der Methode der kleinsten Fehlerquadrate keine Vorteile gegenüber der auf einem Variationsverfahren basierenden Entwicklung aufweist. Für H-Atome erweist sich eine Entwicklung des 1s-Orbitals nach drei GTO als ausreichend, für Atome der 1. Periode erscheint eine Entwicklung des 1s-Orbitals nach drei bis fünf GTO, des 2s-Orbitals nach zwei GTO und der 2p-Orbitale nach drei GTO als geeignet.

---

Résumé En vue de trouver un compromis approprié entre la précision et la durée des calculs, différents développements des orbitales de Slater (STO) en termes d'orbitales gaussiennes (GTO) sont testés au moyen de calculs SCF en bases minimales pour HF, H₂O, NH₃ et CH₄. L'ajustement par les moindres carrés du développement des STO en GTO ne présente apparemment d'avantages sur le développement fondé sur un procédé variationnel. Il apparaît que pour l'hydrogène un développement de l'orbitale 1s en fonction de trois gaussiennes est largement suffisant, alors que pour les atomes de la première rangée il semble nécessaire de développer l'orbitale 1s en 3 à 5 GTO, l'orbitale 2s en 2 GTO et les orbitales 2p en 3 GTO.

     

The heisenberg exchange integral in a non-orthogonal basis for antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic systems

The Dirac-Van Vleck-Serber permutation degeneracy method is used to demonstrate that the Heisenberg spin exchange Hamiltonian, –2J ₁₂s₁·s₂, is a good approximate Hamiltonian for the theoretical interpretation of antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic systems. The approach does not neglect double or higher-order permutations and covers the general case of a singleN-electron configuration as well as that of configuration interaction. An analogy between antiferromagnetic and hydrogen-molecule-like systems is established, and a formula for the estimation of the Heisenberg exchange integral is derived.     

Molecular basis for turnover inefficiencies (misses) during water oxidation in photosystem II

Photosynthesis stores solar light as chemical energy and efficiency of this process is highly important. The electrons required for CO₂ reduction are extracted from water in a reaction driven by light-induced charge separations in the Photosystem II reaction center and catalyzed by the CaMn₄O₅-cluster. This cyclic process involves five redox intermediates known as the S₀–S₄ states. In this study, we quantify the flash-induced turnover efficiency of each S state by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Measurements were performed in photosystem II membrane preparations from spinach in the presence of an exogenous electron acceptor at selected temperatures between −10 °C and +20 °C and at flash frequencies of 1.25, 5 and 10 Hz. The results show that at optimal conditions the turnover efficiencies are limited by reactions occurring in the water oxidizing complex, allowing the extraction of their S state dependence and correlating low efficiencies to structural changes and chemical events during the reaction cycle. At temperatures 10 °C and below, the highest efficiency (i.e. lowest miss parameter) was found for the S₁ → S₂ transition, while the S₂ → S₃ transition was least efficient (highest miss parameter) over the whole temperature range. These electron paramagnetic resonance results were confirmed by measurements of flash-induced oxygen release patterns in thylakoid membranes and are explained on the basis of S state dependent structural changes at the CaMn₄O₅-cluster that were determined recently by femtosecond X-ray crystallography. Thereby, possible “molecular errors” connected to the e⁻ transfer, H⁺ transfer, H₂O binding and O₂ release are identified.

Temperature dependence of the transition inefficiencies (misses) for the water oxidation process in photosystem II were studied by EPR spectroscopy and are explained on the basis of S state dependent structural changes at the CaMn₄O₅-cluster.     

Valence basis sets for lanthanide 4f-in-core pseudopotentials adapted for crystal orbital ab initio calculations

Crystal orbital adapted Gaussian (4s4p3d), (5s5p4d) and (6s6p5d) valence primitive basis sets have been derived for calculating periodic bulk materials containing trivalent lanthanide ions modeled with relativistic energy-consistent 4f-in-core lanthanide pseudopotentials of the Stuttgart-Koeln variety. The calibration calculations of crystalline A-type Pm₂O₃ using different segmented contraction schemes (4s4p3d)/[2s2p2d], (4s4p3d)/[3s3p2d], (5s5p4d)/[2s2p2d], (5s5p4d)/[3s3p3d], (5s5p4d)/[4s4p3d], (6s6p5d)/[2s2p2d], (6s6p5d)/[3s3p3d] and (6s6p5d)/[4s4p4d] are discussed at both Hartree–Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) levels for the investigation of basis set size effects. Applications to the geometry optimization of A-type Ln₂O₃ (Ln = La-Pm) show a satisfactory agreement with experimental data using the lanthanide valence basis sets (6s6p5d)/[4s4p4d] and the standard set 6-311G* for oxygen. The corresponding augmented sets (8s7p6d)/[6s5p5d] with additional diffuse functions for describing neutral lanthanide atoms were applied to calculate atomic energies of free lanthanide atoms for the evaluation of cohesive energies for A-Ln₂O₃ within both conventional Kohn-Sham DFT and the a posteriori-HF correlation DFT schemes.