Modern valence-bond-like representations of selected D6h "aromatic" rings

Starting from CASSCF(6,6)/6-31G(d,p) wave functions, we consider different valence-bond (VB)-like interpretations of the pi electron systems for various (constrained) "benzene-like" D(6)(h)() rings, exploiting the invariance of the total wave function to arbitrary nonsingular transformations of the active orbitals. Quantities obtained rather directly from the various calculations provide a fairly consistent ordering of the degree of aromaticity: C(6)H(6) approximately B(6) > N(6) > Al(6) approximately Si(6)H(6) > P(6). Representations based on mutually orthogonal orbitals are found to be somewhat less satisfactory than those that have no such constraints on the overlaps between the active orbitals.     

Localization of molecular orbitals on fragments

A non‐iterative algorithm for the localization of molecular orbitals (MOs) from complete active space self consistent field (CASSCF) and for single‐determinantal wave functions on predefined moieties is given. The localized fragment orbitals can be used to analyze chemical reactions between fragments and also the binding of fragments in the product molecule with a fragments‐in‐molecules approach by using a valence bond expansion of the CASSCF wave function. The algorithm is an example of the orthogonal Procrustes problem, which is a matrix optimization problem using the singular value decomposition. It is based on the similarity of the set of MOs for the moieties to the localized MOs of the molecule; the similarity is expressed by overlap matrices between the original fragment MOs and the localized MOs. For CASSCF wave functions, localization is done independently in the space of occupied orbitals and active orbitals, whereas, the space of virtual orbitals is mostly uninteresting. Localization of Hartree–Fock or Kohn–Sham density functional theory orbitals is not straightforward; rather, it needs careful consideration, because in this case some virtual orbitals are needed but the space of virtual orbitals depends on the basis sets used and causes considerable problems due to the diffuse character of most virtual orbitals. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Electron momentum distributions from valence-bond wave functions

Momentum densities obtained from the Heitler-London (HL) wave functions for diatomic molecules and those from the corresponding valence-bond (VB) wave functions including ionic terms are compared. In each case they shown maxima in the direction perpendicular to the bond. However, the dependence of momentum densities on mutual orientations of the two electronic momenta is quite complex in the latter case. The improvement in the Compton profile on including the ionic terms is illustrated with the example of H₂. The momentum denmsities obtained from the VB wave function constructed from orthogonalized atomic orbitals (OAO) have also been examined. The HL wave function with OAOS leads to the same momentum distribution as the repulsive state HL wave function constructed from overlapping AOS.     

An efficient algorithm for complete active space valence bond self‐consistent field calculation

This article describes a novel algorithm for the optimization of valence bond self‐consistent field (VBSCF) wave function for a complete active space (CAS), so‐called VBSCF(CAS). This was achieved by applying the strategies adopted in the optimization of CASSCF wave functions to VBSCF(CAS) wave functions, using an auxiliary orthogonal orbital set that generates the same configuration space as the original nonorthogonal orbital set. Theoretical analyses and test calculations show that the VBSCF(CAS) method shares the same computational scaling as CASSCF. The test calculations show the current capability of VBSCF method, which involves millions of VB structures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Analysis of molecular orbital wave functions in terms of valence bond functions for molecular fragments. I. Theory

A method of expansion of molecular orbital wave functions into valence bond (VB ) functions is extended to molecular fragments. The wave function is projected onto a basis of mixed determinants, involving molecular orbitals as well as fragment atomic orbitals, and is further expressed as a linear combination of VB functions, characteristic of structural formulas of the fragment but whose remaining bonds are frozen. Structural weights for the fragment are deduced from this expression. Delocalized molecular orbitals are used as a startpoint, as they are after an ordinary SCF calculation. Wave functions of medium-sized molecules may be analyzed with reasonable storage requirements in a computer.     

Hamiltonian matrix and reduced density matrix construction with nonlinear wave functions

An efficient procedure to compute Hamiltonian matrix elements and reduced one- and two-particle density matrices for electronic wave functions using a new graphical-based nonlinear expansion form is presented. This method is based on spin eigenfunctions using the graphical unitary group approach (GUGA), and the wave function is expanded in a basis of product functions (each of which is equivalent to some linear combination of all of the configuration state functions), allowing application to closed- and open-shell systems and to ground and excited electronic states. In general, the effort required to construct an individual Hamiltonian matrix element between two product basis functions H(MN) = M|H|N scales as theta (beta n4) for a wave function expanded in n molecular orbitals. The prefactor beta itself scales between N0 and N2, for N electrons, depending on the complexity of the underlying Shavitt graph. Timings with our initial implementation of this method are very promising. Wave function expansions that are orders of magnitude larger than can be treated with traditional CI methods require only modest effort with our new method.     

A multireference configuration interaction method based on the separated electron pair wave functions

A multireference configurational interaction method based on the separated electron pair (SEP) wave functions, SEP‐CI approach, has been developed as an approximation to the traditional CASSCF method. It differs from the CASSCF method in that active orbitals are obtained from the SEP wave function without further optimization in the subsequent CI calculations, and the active space is automatically constructed according to the occupation coefficients of SEP natural orbitals. These features make the present SEP‐CI method computationally much less demanding than the CASSCF method. The applicability of the SEP‐CI method is illustrated with sample calculations on the insertion reaction of BeH₂ and dissociation energies of LiH, BH, FH, H₂O, and N₂. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 39–47, 2006     

A simple computational scheme for obtaining localized bonding schemes and their weights from a CASSCF wave function

We devise and apply a simple computational scheme for obtaining localized bonding schemes and their weights from a CASSCF wave function. These bonding schemes are close to resonance structures drawn by chemists. Firstly, a CASSCF wave function is computed. Secondly, the CASSCF computation is repeated but now the delocalized complete active space MOs are substituted by Weinhold's localized natural atomic orbitals. In this way the original CASSCF wave function is represented by a sequence of Slater determinants composed of localized natural atomic orbitals. Thus, a standard CASSCF wave function can be reinterpreted in terms of a local picture. To test the method we obtain localized bonding schemes and their weights for the ground and the pi-pi* excited state of ethylene. Moreover, bonding schemes and their weights are derived for the ground, the 1(1)B(u), and the 2(1)Ag pi-pi* excited states of trans-butadiene. The large weight bonding schemes are shown to be a qualitative indicator for the known photochemistry of butadiene. The remarkable stability of the Arduengo carbene is discussed by obtaining bonding schemes that indicate a stabilizing delocalization of the pi electrons. We illustrate that the large weight bonding schemes are in line with the observed reactivity of the Arduengo carbene.     

Maximum probability domains from Quantum Monte Carlo calculations

Although it would be tempting to associate the Lewis structures to the maxima of the squared wave function |Psi|2, we prefer in this paper the use of domains of the three-dimensional space, which maximize the probability of containing opposite-spin electron pairs. We find for simple systems (CH4, H2O, Ne, N2, C2H2) domains comparable to those obtained with the electron localization function (ELF) or by localizing molecular orbitals. The different domains we define can overlap, and this gives an interesting physical picture of the floppiness of CH5+ and of the symmetric hydrogen bond in FHF-. The presence of multiple solutions has an analogy with resonant structures, as shown in the trans-bent structure of Si2H2. Correlated wave functions were used (MCSCF or Slater-Jastrow) in the Variational Quantum Monte Carlo framework.     

Theoretical modeling of the symmetric (C2v) electrophilic attachment of chlorine to ethylene in aqueous solution

The electrophilic attachment of chlorine to ethylene in aqueous solution is studied using the complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) method combined with the polarizable continuum model in a version which includes electrostatic, repulsion, and dispersion solute–solvent interactions. The C_2v symmetry is maintained for all the geometries considered, and the active space is generated distributing six electrons in five orbitals. After the CASSCF calculation a valence bond (VB) analysis has been performed along an approximate reaction coordinate by projecting the wave function onto a set of four classical structures; a reliable explanatory model of the rearrangement of the electronic structure for this process is then derived. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 74: 59–67, 1999     

价键理论中的组态相互作用

近 2 0年来 ,从头计算水平的价键 (VB)方法得到了人们的重视 ,并广泛应用于化学反应等问题的研究[1～ 5] ,然而目前价键理论的计算方法仍然很不完善 .用 VBSCF方法进行计算虽然比较简单 ,能正确地描述化学反应的形成机理 ,但数值结果不理想 ;而用 BOVB方法[4 ] 进行计算虽然可以得到较好的计算结果 ,但存在收敛困难等问题 .分子轨道理论中的组态相互作用是一种简单直接的电子相关能计算方法 ,显然这一方法可以应用于价键方法中 .然而与分子轨道理论方法不同 ,在价键方法中 ,无法直接得到空轨道 ,此外如何选取激发价键函数使得计算结果…     

Large systems at ab initio multireference level: a cheap treatment thanks to a division into fragments

Thanks to the use of localized orbitals and the subsequent possibility of neglecting long-range interactions, the linear-scaling methods have allowed to treat large systems at ab initio level. However, the limitation of the number of active orbitals in a complete active space self consistent-field (CASSCF) calculation remains unchanged. The method presented in this paper suggests to divide the system into fragments containing only a small number of active orbitals. Starting from a guess wave function, each orbital is optimized in its corresponding fragment, in the presence of the other fragments. Once all the fragments have been treated, a new set of orbitals is obtained. The process is iterated until convergence. At the end of the calculation, a set of active orbitals is obtained, which is close to the exact CASSCF solution, and an accurate CASSCF energy can be estimated.     

包括d轨道的NMR化学位移的INDO/GIAO微扰理论

本文推广了计算~(18)C化学位移的INDO/GIAO方法,以进行~(15)N、~(17)O以及过渡元素配合物的~(18)C化学位移计算。通过N,O及Fe的INDO参数的优化选择,计算的~(15)N、~(17)O以及配合物(C_5H_5)Fe(CO)_2CN,(C_5H_4)_2Fe(COH)_2及(C_5H_4)_2Fe(CH_2OH)_2的~(18)C化学位移符合实验结果,同时发现计算的原子净电荷ρ(M)和σ~d(M)之间存在良好的线性关系。     

One-dimensional coordination polymers containing penta-supertetrahedral sulfide clusters linked by dipyridyl ligands

Three new one-dimensional coordination polymers [Zn8S(SC6H5)14.C12H10N2](1), [Zn7CoS(SC6H5)14.C13H14N2](2) and [Zn8S(SC6H5)14.C13H14N2](3) have been prepared containing penta-supertetrahedral clusters and linear crosslinking dipyridyl ligands; the two complexes show optical transitions with band gaps of approximately 3.44 eV (1) and approximately 3.54 eV (2).     

Agostic interaction in the methylidene metal dihydride complexes H2MCH2 (M=Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Th, or U)

Multiconfigurational quantum chemical methods (complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF)/second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2)) have been used to study the agostic interaction between the metal atom and H(C) in the methylidene metal dihydride complexes H2MCH2, where M is a second row transition metal or the actinide atoms Th or U. The geometry of some of these complexes is highly irregular due to the formation of a three center bond CH...M, where the electrons in the CH bond are delocalized onto empty or half empty orbitals of d- or f-type on the metal. No agostic interaction is expected when M=Y, where only a single bond with methylene can be formed, or when M=Ru, because of the lack of empty electron accepting metal valence orbitals. The largest agostic interaction is found in the Zr and U complexes.     

Modern valence-bond description of the electronic structure of benzocyclobutadiene

The ground state of benzocyclobutadiene, a bicyclic molecule with 8π electrons containing a benzene and a cyclobutadiene ring, is studied by means of modern valence bond (VB) theory in its spin-coupled (SC) form and the complete-active-space self-consistent field (CAS SCF) approach. The CAS SCF wave function is used to optimize the geometry, and SC theory—to obtain a well-correlated and easy to visualize and understand model of the active space hosting the π electrons. It is shown that the π system of the ground state of benzocyclobutadiene can be described with sufficient accuracy as a combination of the π systems of a distorted benzene ring and an isolated double bond. Each of the eight SC orbitals is found to be well-localized about one carbon atom only, with small distortions toward its nearest neighbors. The analysis of the optimal active-space spin-coupling pattern within the SC wave function for benzocyclobutadiene shows unambiguously that this molecule inherits neither the aromatic nor the antiaromatic character of its cyclic components, and it is most appropriate to regard it as nonaromatic. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Bonding in negative ions: the role of d orbitals in the heavy analogues of pyridine and furan radical anions

We have used a potential wall method to investigate the role of d orbitals in the a(2) singly-occupied molecular orbitals of (2)A(2) negative ion states of two molecular series: pyridine, phosphabenzene, arsabenzene, stibabenzene (C(5)H(5)X, X = {N, P, As, Sb}), and furan, thiophene, selenophene, tellurophene (C(4)H(4)X, X = {O, S, Se, Te}). Unlike for the lower lying doubly occupied orbitals, heteroatom d-carbon p in-phase (bonding) interactions in these a(2) orbitals are clearly identified and explain the 0.5 eV stabilization of the (2)A(2) radical anion state in those compounds where the heteroatoms have d orbitals in the valence shell, compared to compounds where d orbitals are missing in the valence shell of the heteroatoms. The performance of both the potential wall approach and the approximate expression of Tozer and De Proft for calculating negative electron affinities has been also investigated, through a comparison with results obtained using electron-transmission spectroscopy experiments.