Acetamide, a challenge to theory and experiment? On the molecular structure, conformation, potential to internal rotation of the methyl group and force fields of free acetamide as studied by quantum chemical calculations

The molecular geometry has been optimized without any constraints using different basis sets and levels of theory as: Hartree-Fock with basis sets 6–31+G**, 6–311++G**, cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVTZ, MP2 with basis sets 6–311++G** and cc-pVTZ, MP3 with basis set 6–311++G**, and density functional theory with basis sets 6–311++G** and cc-pVTZ. Small basis sets up to 6-31G predict the syn conformation of the methyl group to be the most stable conformation. Larger basis sets predict an unsymmetrical conformation with one of the H atoms perpendicular to the amide skeleton or an anti-like conformation. Dunnings correlation consistent polarized valence triple zeta, cc-pVTZ, basis set including MP2 predict two conformations, one perpendicular and one anti to be the most stable. The DFT calculations predict anti-like conformations. The most accurate calculations predict anti-like conformations which have not been predicted previously. The vibrational frequencies have been calculated for several basis sets and compared to the observed frequencies. The wagging frequency of the NH₂ is very dependent on the basis sets and levels of theory. Most calculations predict a planar NH₂ group in agreement with experiment. A scaled molecular force field has been determined by fitting the calculated frequencies to the observed ones for the perpendicular conformation using MP2/cc-pVTZ. The barrier heights for the methyl group have been calculated. The rotational constants, I_A + I_B − I_C values and dipole moments are compared with experimental values.     

Conformation-specific spectroscopy of 4-phenyl-1-butyne and 5-phenyl-1-pentyne

4-Phenyl-1-butyne and 5-phenyl-1-pentyne were studied by a combination of methods including resonance-enhanced-two-photon ionization, UV-UV hole-burning spectroscopy, and rotational band contour studies. There are two conformations of 4-phenyl-1-butyne observed in the expansion with their S1<-- S0 origins occurring at 37617 and 37620 cm(-1). MP2 and DFT calculations identify these two low energy conformations (with the acetylenic group anti or gauche with respect to the ring) and confirm that these are the only two low energy conformations anticipated to have population in them. The experimental rotational band contours of the origin bands were compared to simulations based on transition moment directions and rotational constants predicted by CIS calculations. This comparison leads to definitive assignments for the bands, with the gauche and anti conformations assigned to the red and blue-shifted conformers, respectively. Three conformations of 5-phenyl-1-pentyne were observed in the expansion with their S1<-- S0 origins occurring at 37538, 37578, and 37601 cm(-1). MP2 and DFT calculations predict four low energy structures arising from gauche or anti conformations about each of the Calpha-Cbeta and Cbeta-Cgamma bonds. Rotational band contour analysis was used to assign the above transitions to gauche-anti (ga), gauche-gauche (gg), and anti-gauche (ag) structures, respectively.     

去氢抗坏血酸分子振动光谱的理论研究

采用RHF, MP2, DFT(B3LYP)方法, 以6-311++G**为基组研究了去氢抗坏血酸分子(DHA)的平衡几何构型和振动光谱. 计算结果表明, 采用RHF, B3LYP以及MP2 方法优化得到的几何结构以及频率值是一致的. 采用B3LYP/6-311++G**计算了DHA分子平衡构型下的谐振动力场﹑振动频率和振动强度. 使用Wilson的GF矩阵方法对DHA分子进行了简正坐标分析, 依据所得的势能分布对DHA分子的振动基频进行了合理的理论归属.     

Vibrational frequencies of hydrazoic acid and methyl azide: density functional theory study

Harmonic vibrational frequencies of HN3 and CH3N3 molecules and their several isotopomers are calculated using HF, MP2 and five popular density functional theory (DFT) methods. On the basis of the comparison between calculated and experimental results, assignments of fundamental vibrational modes arc examined. HF and MP2 results are in bad agreement with experimental values. Of the five DFT methods, BLYP reproduces the observed fundamental frequencies the most satisfactorily. Two hybrid DFT methods are found to yield frequencies generally higher than the observed fundamental frequencies. The results indicate that BLYP calculation is a very promising approach for understanding the observed spectral features.     

A comparative relativistic DFT and ab initio study on the structure and thermodynamics of the oxofluorides of uranium(IV), (V) and (VI)

All the possible uranium(VI, V, IV) oxides, fluorides and oxofluorides were studied theoretically by using density functional theory (DFT) in the generalised gradient approximation (GGA), and three different relativistic methods (all-electron scalar four component Dyall RESC method (AE), relativistic small-core ECPs, and zeroth order regular approximation ZORA). In order to test different correlation methods, for the two former relativistic methods hybrid DFT, and, for the AE method, MP2 molecular orbital calculations were performed as well. Single-point AE-CCSD(T) energies were calculated on MP2 geometries as well. Energies of the uranium(VI) and (V) oxofluorides dissociation, uranium(VI) fluoride hydrolysis and oxofluoride disproportionation were calculated and compared against the available experimental thermochemical data. AE-CCSD(T) energies were the closest to the experiment. For GGA DFT methods, all the relativistic methods used yield similar results. For thermochemistry, the best quantitative agreement with the experimental and CCSD(T) values for both U=O and U-F bond strengths was obtained with hybrid DFT methods, provided that a reliable basis set was used. Both the GGA DFT and MP2 MO methods show overbinding of these bonds; moreover, this overbinding was found to be not uniform but strongly dependent on the coordination environment of the uranium atom in each case. U=O vibrational frequencies given by hybrid DFT, however, are systematically overestimated, and are better reproduced by GGA DFT; MP2 values usually fall in-between. Reaction enthalpies, U=O frequencies and complex geometries given by the PBE, MPBE, BPBE, BLYP and OLYP GGA functionals are quite similar, with OLYP performing slightly better than the others but still not as good as hybrid DFT. The geometries of the molecules are found to be influenced by the following factors: the inverse transinfluence (ITI) of the oxygen ligand and, for U(V), and U(IV), the Jahn-Teller distortion.     

Analysis of vibrational spectra of 3-halo-1-propanols CH(2)XCH(2)CH(2)OH (X is Cl and Br)

The conformational stability and the three rotor internal rotations in 3-chloro- and 3-bromo-1-propanols were investigated by DFT-B3LYP/6-311+G and ab initio MP2/6-311+G, MP3/6-311+G and MP4(SDTQ)//MP3/6-311+G levels of theory. On the calculated potential energy surface twelve distinct minima were located all of which were not predicted to have imaginary frequencies at the B3LYP level of theory. The calculated lowest energy minimum in the potential curves of both molecules was predicted to correspond to the Gauche-gauche-trans (Ggt) conformer in excellent agreement with earlier microwave and electron diffraction results. The equilibrium constants for the conformational interconversion of the two 3-halo-1-propanols were calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G level of calculation and found to correspond to an equilibrium mixture of about 32% Ggt, 18% Ggg1, 13% Tgt, 8% Tgg and 8% Gtt conformations for 3-chloro-1-propanol and 34% Ggt, 15% Tgt, 13% Ggg1, 9% Tgg and 7% Gtt conformations for 3-bromo-1-propanol at 298.15K. The nature of the high energy conformations was verified by carrying out solvent experiments using formamide ( epsilon=109.5) and MP3 and MP4//MP3 calculations. The vibrational frequencies of each molecule in its three most stable forms were computed at the B3LYP level and complete vibrational assignments were made based on normal coordinate calculations and comparison with experimental data of the molecules.     

Theoretical study of hyperfine interactions in small arsenic-containing radicals

Various density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio MP2 and CCSD methods were employed in calculations of arsenic isotropic and anisotropic hyperfine parameters in three small radicals, AsH(2), AsO(2), and H(2)AsO. Convergent basis sets for these calculations were specially derived starting from Dunning's correlation-consistent sets. DFT methods proved to be particularly appropriate choice, because the results obtained with the suitable functionals are in accordance with the available experimental values. Additionally, mechanisms of hyperfine couplings were investigated by examining individual orbital contributions to spin density. The spin polarization mechanism in AsH(2) was studied by evaluating one- and two-electron integrals in spin-restricted and unrestricted case. Apart from nonrelativistic, scalar-relativistic Douglas-Kroll-Hess DFT calculations were performed to examine relativistic impacts on spin density distribution.     

Vibrational spectra of 1-methylthymine: matrix isolation, solid state and theoretical studies

The infrared spectra of 1-methylthymine (1-MeT) in argon and nitrogen cryogenic matrices are presented, for the first time. The molecular structure, conformations, vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities and Raman scattering activities of 1-MeT have been calculated by the DFT(B3LYP), MP2 and HF methods using the D95V** basis set. The theoretically predicted intensity pattern of the IR and Raman bands has proved to be of great help in assigning the experimental spectra. Rigorous normal coordinate analysis has been performed, at each level of theory. The unequivocal and complete vibrational assignment for 1-MeT has been made on the basis of the calculated potential energy distribution (PED). Comparison of the experimental matrix isolation spectra with the theoretical results has revealed that the B3LYP method is superior to both the MP2 and HF methods in predicting the frequencies of uracil derivatives. The MP2 method consistently underestimates the frequencies of the out-of-plane gamma(C=O) and gamma(C-H) bending modes, while the HF method yields the reverse order of the frequencies of two nu(C=O) stretching vibrations. Investigation of the frequency shift of several bands, on passing from matrix isolation to solid state spectra, has provided information on the strength of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal of 1-MeT. Several ambiguities in the earlier assignments of the vibrational spectra of polycrystalline 1-MeT have been clarified.     

Theoretical study of the vibrational frequencies of carbon disulfide

A benchmark comparison for different computational methods and basis sets has been presented. In this study, five computational methods (Hartree–Fock (HF), MP2, B3LYP, MPW1MP91, and PBE1PBE) along with 18 basis sets have been applied to optimize the geometry of carbon disulfide (CS₂), and further calculate the vibrational frequencies of the optimized geometries. The differences between the calculated frequencies and corresponding experimental data are used to evaluate the efficiency of each combination of computational method and basis set. The comparison of frequency difference indicates that B3LYP generally gives the best prediction of frequencies for CS₂, whereas the other two density functional theory (DFT) methods, i.e., MPW1PW91 and PBE1PBE, often give parallel results. Although MP2 predicts the frequencies with accuracy almost as good as those from DFT methods, in a particular case, HF calculation outperforms MP2 as well as MPW1PW91 and PBE1PBE for prediction of the frequency of asymmetrical stretching for CS₂. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A theoretical and experimental study of Sb4O6: vibrational analysis, infrared, and Raman spectra

The first ab initio theoretical study of tetraantimony hexoxide (Sb4O6) is reported. The normal mode frequencies, intensities, and the corresponding vibrational assignments of Sb4O6 in T(d) symmetry were calculated using the GAUSSIAN 98 set of quantum chemistry codes at the Hartree-Fock (HF)/CEP-121G, M?ller-Plesset (MP2)/CEP-121G, and density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP/CEP-121G levels of theory. By comparison to experimental data deduced by our laboratory and others, correction factors for the calculated vibrational frequencies were determined and compared. Normal modes were decomposed into three non-redundant motions (Sb-O-Sb stretch, Sb-O-Sb bend, and Sb-O-Sb wag). Percent relative errors found for the HF, DFT, and MP2 corrected frequencies when compared to experiment are 5.8, 6.1, and 5.7 cm(-1), respectively. Electron distributions for selected molecular orbitals are also considered.     

Study of potassium O,O'-Dibutyldithiophosphate combining DFT, 31P CP/MAS NMR and infrared spectroscopy

Dithiophosphates are used in many different industrial applications. To explain their functions and properties in these applications, a fundamental understanding on a molecular level is needed. Potassium O, O'-Dibutyldithiophosphate and its anion have been investigated by means of a combination of DFT and (31)P CP/MAS NMR and infrared spectroscopy. Several low-energy conformations were studied by DFT. Three different conformations with significantly different torsion angles of the O-C bond relative to the O-P-O plane were selected for further studies of infrared frequencies and (31)P NMR chemical-shift tensors. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental results was obtained, especially when the IR spectra or (31)P chemical shift tensor parameters of all three conformations were added, indicating that, because of the low energy difference between the conformations, the molecules are rapidly fluctuating between them.     

Anharmonic vibrational spectroscopy calculations with electronic structure potentials: comparison of MP2 and DFT for organic molecules

Density functional theory (DFT) technique is the most commonly used approach when it comes to computation of vibrational spectra of molecular species. In this study, we compare anharmonic spectra of several organic molecules such as allene, propyne, glycine, and imidazole, computed from ab initio MP2 potentials and DFT potentials based on commonly used BLYP and B3LYP functionals. Anharmonic spectra are obtained using the direct vibrational self-consistent field (VSCF) method and its correlation-corrected extension (CC-VSCF). The results of computations are compared with available experimental data. It is shown that the most accurate vibrational frequencies are obtained with the MP2 method, followed by the DFT/B3LYP method, while DFT/BLYP results are often unsatisfactory. Contribution to the Mark S. Gordon 65th Birthday Festschrift Issue.     

Investigation of conformational stability and vibrational spectra of halomethylsulfonyl isocyanates

The conformational behavior and structural stability of chloro- and fluoromethylsulfonyl isocyanates were investigated by quantum mechanical DFT and ab initio MP2 calculations. The 6-311++G^** basis set was employed to include polarization and diffuse functions in the calculations. The molecules were found to exist in a mixture of two stable gauche conformations. The potential scans were calculated from which the rotational barriers could be estimated. The vibrational frequencies and spectra were computed at B3LYP/6-311++G^** level. The potential energy distributions were then calculated to provide tentative vibrational assignment for the normal modes of the stable conformers of both molecules.     

Two rotors potential scans and vibrational assignments for dihalomethylsulfonyl isocyanates

The conformational behavior and structural stability of dichloro and difluoromethyl-sulfonyl isocyanates were investigated by quantum mechanical DFT and ab initio calculations. The 6-311 + + G** basis set was employed to include polarization and diffuse functions in the calculation at B3LYP and MP2 levels. The molecules were found to exist in a mixture of trans-gauche and gauche-gauche conformations at ambient temperatures. From the calculations the isocyanate NCO moiety was predicted to nearly eclipse one of the sulfony S=O bonds in the two stable conformers of both molecules. The potential scans for the rotations of the two NCO and CX2H rotors were calculated from which the rotational barriers could be estimated. The vibrational frequencies, potential energy distributions, IR intensities as well as depolarization ratios were calculated.     

Optical rotation calculation of a highly flexible molecule: the case of paraconic acid

The absolute configuration of (S)-(-)-paraconic acid is correctly assigned on the basis of ab initio calculations of the specific optical rotation (OR) at the sodium D line, carried out both in vacuum and in methanol. Density functional theory (DFT) and M?ller-Plesset second-order perturbation theory (MP2) are used to determine the most stable conformational structures, whose OR values are then calculated using DFT linear response theory and London atomic orbitals. The total OR is obtained by averaging these values using the population fractions determined from Boltzmann's statistics. The total OR of the MP2 structures has the correct sign both in vacuum and in solution, whereas only the solvent-relaxed DFT structures correctly reproduce the experimental sign. The strong solvent effect on the total OR is shown to arise primarily due to the variations in the relative energies of the various conformations.     

Vibrational assignment, structure and intramolecular hydrogen bond of 4-methylamino-3-penten-2-one

The molecular structure, intramolecular hydrogen and vibrational frequencies of 4-methylamino-3-penten-2-one were investigated by a series of density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations and ab initio calculation at the post-Hartree-Fock (MP2) level. Fourier transform infrared and Fourier transform Raman spectra of this compound and its deuterated analogue were clearly assigned. The calculated geometrical parameters show a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond with a N...O distance of 2.622-2.670 A. This bond length is about 0.02 A shorter than that in its parent, 4-amino-3- penten-2-one which is in agreement with spectroscopic results. Furthermore, the conformations of methyl groups with respect to the plane of the molecule and with respect to each other were investigated.     

High level of ab initio and density functional theory computational study of structural and energetic properties of tetrafluorhydrazine rotamers

The HF, MP2, MP3, MP4, and QCISD ab initio methods were compared with local, hybrid, and gradient-corrected density functional theory (DFT) methods for computing structures and energies of N2F4 rotamers. In all DFT calculations 6-311 + G(2d) basis set was used. The generated structures energies of trans- and gauche-N₂F₄ rotamers, and their dissociation energies to nitrogen difluoride were compared with experimental data. Suitable hybrid and gradient-corrected DFT methods for determining structures and energies for these and similar molecular systems were discussed.     

Comparison of HF,HF + MP2, LDA,BLYP, and B3LYP band structures of the homopolypeptides

Ab initio HF, HF + MP2, LDA DFT, BLYP DFT, and B3LYP DFT calculations are compared in the case of 19 homopolypeptides in their β pleated sheet conformation. The results show that the B3LYP method provides good results for the fundamental gaps, as compared with the values estimated on the basis of available UV spectra and intermediate exciton calculations for PolyGly and PolyAla. The HF method gives the best agreement, using Koopman's theorem for the ionization potential, taking the calculated VB_max values in the HF case if one compares them with the experimental ionization potentials of the 19 amino acids measured by mass spectroscopy. Finally, how these methods might be improved to determine the most stable conformations of the homopolypeptides is outlined. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Comparison of ab initio and density functional methods for vibrational analysis of TeCl4

Vibrational analysis of tellurium tetrachloride, TeCl₄, was performed with Hartree–Fock (HF), MP2, and generalized gradient approximation density functional theory (DFT) methods supplemented with polarized double-zeta split valence (DZVP) basis sets and relativistic effective core potentials (RECP) of Hay and Wadt. The molecular geometry is best reproduced at the HF and MP2/RECP+DZVP [polarized Hay and Wadt RECP for Te and 6–31G(d) basis set for Cl] levels of theory. The DFT methods gave rise to poorer results, especially those using Becke's 1988 exchange functional. Generally, the vibrational frequencies calculated by the MP2 and B3-type DFT methods with the all electron and RECP+DZVP basis sets as well as at the HF/RECP level were in satisfactory accord with the experimental data. The agreement was good enough to assist the assignment of the measured vibrational spectra. The best agreement with the experimental vibrational frequencies was achieved with the scaled HF/RECP force field. Consistent results were obtained for the unobserved A₂ (ν₄) fundamental, where the results of the best methods were within 4 cm⁻¹. The best force fields were obtained with the following methods: Becke3–Lee–Yang–Parr and Becke3–Perdew/all electron basis, MP2 and Becke3-Perdew/RECP+DZVP, and HF/RECP. The methods using RECPs are advantageous for large-scale computations. The RECP basis set effectively compensates the errors of the HF method for TeCl₄; however, it provides poor results with correlated methods. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 308–318, 1998