Vibrationally averaged post Born-Oppenheimer isotopic dipole moment calculations approaching spectroscopic accuracy

We report an upgrade of the Dalton code to include post Born-Oppenheimer nuclear mass corrections in the calculations of (ro-)vibrational averages of molecular properties. These corrections are necessary to achieve an accuracy of 10(-4) debye in the calculations of isotopic dipole moments. Calculations on the self-consistent field level present this accuracy, while numerical instabilities compromise correlated calculations. Applications to HD, ethane, and ethylene isotopologues are implemented, all of them approaching the experimental values.     

Theoretical study of molecular conduction: I. Effective Green's function based on perturbation theory

There have been many experimental and theoretical studies on molecular conduction, as it is a fundamental parameter in the study of molecular‐scale electronics. We have investigated the features of molecular conduction using a Green's function method, which has often been used to solve problems in quantum transport and is also effective in elucidating electron transport in molecules. We have obtained the novel effective Green's functions, including the first‐order energy corrections, by accommodating the self‐energy of the electrodes as perturbation terms. Although these approximate Green's functions only provide information on the first‐order energy corrections, they can involve the elementary properties of molecular conduction. We propose a scheme for the analysis of the relations between molecular orbitals and their roles in molecular conduction and present analytical calculations for normal and cyclic polyenes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006     

A semiempirical approach to ligand‐binding affinities: Dependence on the Hamiltonian and corrections

We present a combination of semiempirical quantum‐mechanical (SQM) calculations in the conductor‐like screening model with the MM/GBSA (molecular‐mechanics with generalized Born and surface‐area solvation) method for ligand‐binding affinity calculations. We test three SQM Hamiltonians, AM1, RM1, and PM6, as well as hydrogen‐bond corrections and two different dispersion corrections. As test cases, we use the binding of seven biotin analogues to avidin, nine inhibitors to factor Xa, and nine phenol‐derivatives to ferritin. The results vary somewhat for the three test cases, but a dispersion correction is mandatory to reproduce experimental estimates. On average, AM1 with the DH2 hydrogen‐bond and dispersion corrections gives the best results, which are similar to those of standard MM/GBSA calculations for the same systems. The total time consumption is only 1.3–1.6 times larger than for MM/GBSA. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The average hamiltonian view of low-energy scattering by a vibrating molecule

The average hamiltonian theory is used to examine the effect of molecular vibration on low-energy scattering. When the relative motion of the colliding molecules is slow on the timescale of molecular vibration, it is appropriate to transform the problem into an oscillating reference frame and to describe the collision in that frame by the average hamiltonian over one period of oscillation. The first-order result is identical to the distorted-wave Born approximation. High-order corrections introduce phase shifts for elastic scattering due to molecular vibration and provide transition amplitudes for inelastic scattering. The extent to which the higher-order corrections modify the distorted waves establishes criteria for the validity of the DWA. These criteria are used to examine recent distorted-wave calculations of V-V energy transfer rate constants.     

Ab initio calculations of the melting temperatures of refractory bcc metals

We present ab initio calculations of the melting temperatures for bcc metals Nb, Ta and W. The calculations combine phase coexistence molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using classical embedded-atom method potentials and ab initio density functional theory free energy corrections. The calculated melting temperatures for Nb, Ta and W are, respectively, within 3%, 4%, and 7% of the experimental values. We compare the melting temperatures to those obtained from direct ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and see if they are in excellent agreement with each other. The small remaining discrepancies with experiment are thus likely due to inherent limitations associated with exchange-correlation energy approximations within density-functional theory.     

On the Hellmann–Feynman theorem and the corrections to the energy in the Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation theory

In this work we present an alternative method, based on the Hellmann–Feynman theorem, to generate energy corrections within the standard Rayleigh–Schrödinger perturbation theory. As a result, compact expressions for the corrections to the energy at different orders are obtained. We also review a method that allows us to calculate the corrections to the wave function needed in the energy calculations. Finally, our results are compared with those obtained by other authors by a different technique.     

A closed-shell coupled-cluster treatment of the Breit-Pauli first-order relativistic energy correction

First-order relativistic corrections to the energy of closed-shell molecular systems are calculated, using all terms in the two-component Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. In particular, we present the first implementation of the two-electron Breit orbit-orbit integrals, thus completing the first-order relativistic corrections within the two-component Pauli approximation. Calculations of these corrections are presented for a series of small and light molecules, at the Hartree-Fock and coupled-cluster levels of theory. Comparisons with four-component Dirac-Coulomb-Breit calculations demonstrate that the full Breit-Pauli energy corrections represent an accurate approximation to a fully relativistic treatment of such systems. The Breit interaction is dominated by the spin-spin interaction, the orbit-orbit interaction contributing only about 10% to the total two-electron relativistic correction in molecules consisting of light atoms. However, the relative importance of the orbit-orbit interaction increases with increasing nuclear charge, contributing more than 20% in H(2)S.     

Thermochemical spin-orbit corrections for atomic platinum (Pt)

In quantum chemistry calculations of molecular dissociation or atomization, the energies of many atoms require spin-orbit corrections (SOCs). This is to compensate for the lack of spin-orbit coupling in most calculations. Values for the corrections are normally derived from experimental atomic energy levels and their assignments to LS (Russell-Saunders) terms. However, this procedure produces erroneous values when terms are strongly mixed, as they are in Pt. Spin-orbit configuration interaction provides the LS-term composition of observed energy levels. Such data are used here to obtain SOCs for valence term energies of Pt. For the ground term (³D), a correction of −3948 ± 153 cm⁻¹ is recommended.     

The chiral molecule CHClFI: first determination of its molecular parameters by Fourier transform microwave and millimeter-wave spectroscopies supplemented by ab initio calculations

The rotational spectrum of chlorofluoroiodomethane (CHClFI) has been investigated. Because its rotational spectrum is extremely crowded, extensive ab initio calculations were first performed in order to predict the molecular parameters. The low J transitions were measured using a pulsed-molecular-beam Fourier transform spectrometer, and the millimeter-wave spectrum was measured to determine accurate centrifugal distortion constants. Because of the high resolution of the experimental techniques, the analysis yielded accurate rotational constants, centrifugal distortion corrections, and the complete quadrupole coupling tensors for the iodine and chlorine nuclei, as well as the contribution of iodine to the spin-rotation interaction. These molecular parameters were determined for the two isotopologs CH35ClFI and CH37ClFI. They reproduce the observed transitions within the experimental accuracy. Moreover, the ab initio calculations have provided a precise equilibrium molecular structure. Furthermore, the ab initio molecular parameters are found in good agreement with the corresponding experimental values.     

Dimensional scaling treatment with relativistic corrections for stable multiply charged atomic ions in high-frequency super-intense laser fields

We present a theoretical framework which describes multiply charged atomic ions, their stability within super-intense laser fields, and also lay corrections to the systems due to relativistic effects. Dimensional scaling calculations with relativistic corrections for systems: H, H(-), H(2 -), He, He(-), He(2 -), He(3 -) within super-intense laser fields were completed. Also completed were three-dimensional self consistent field calculations to verify the dimensionally scaled quantities. With the aforementioned methods the system's ability to stably bind "additional" electrons through the development of multiple isolated regions of high potential energy leading to nodes of high electron density is shown. These nodes are spaced far enough from each other to minimize the electronic repulsion of the electrons, while still providing adequate enough attraction so as to bind the excess electrons into orbitals. We have found that even with relativistic considerations these species are stably bound within the field. It was also found that performing the dimensional scaling calculations for systems within the confines of laser fields to be a much simpler and more cost-effective method than the supporting D = 3 SCF method. The dimensional scaling method is general and can be extended to include relativistic corrections to describe the stability of simple molecular systems in super-intense laser fields.     

Nanoscale Chemical Imaging of Interfacial Monolayers by Tip‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

We report an investigation of interfacial fluorinated hydrocarbon (carboxylic‐fantrip) monolayers by nanoscale imaging using tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. By comparing TERS images of a sub‐monolayer prepared by spin‐coating and a π–π‐stacked monolayer on Au(111) in which the molecular orientation is confined, specific Raman peaks shift and line widths narrow in the transferred LB monolayer. Based on DFT calculations that take into account dispersion corrections and surface selection rules, these specific effects are proposed to originate from π–π stacking and molecular orientation restriction. TERS shows the possibility to distinguish between a random and locked orientation with a spatial resolution of less than 10 nm. This work combines experimental TERS imaging with theoretical DFT calculations and opens up the possibility of studying molecular orientations and intermolecular interaction at the nanoscale and molecular level.     

Analyzing Discrepancies in Chemical-Shift Predictions of Solid Pyridinium Fumarates

Highly accurate chemical-shift predictions in molecular solids are behind the success and rapid development of NMR crystallography. However, unusually large errors of predicted hydrogen and carbon chemical shifts are sometimes reported. An understanding of these deviations is crucial for the reliability of NMR crystallography. Here, recently reported large deviations of predicted hydrogen and carbon chemical shifts of a series of solid pyridinium fumarates are thoroughly analyzed. The influence of the geometry optimization protocol and of the computational level of NMR calculations on the accuracy of predicted chemical shifts is investigated. Periodic calculations with GGA, meta-GGA and hybrid functionals are employed. Furthermore, molecular corrections at the coupled-cluster singles-and-doubles (CCSD) level are calculated. The effect of nuclear delocalization on the structure and NMR shielding is also investigated. The geometry optimization with a computationally demanding hybrid functional leads to a substantial improvement in proton chemical-shift predictions.     

Improvement of the RKR procedure obtained by semi-classical calculations

In this letter we present a new technique to improve RKR molecular potential curve calculations. The potential curve obtained gives calculated G(ν) and B(ν) values extremely close to the measured ones. The aim of these calculations is the same as that of the inverted perturbation approach of Vidal and Sheingraber, but the potential-well corrections are calculated by using Watson's semi-classical inversion procedure.     

Density functional theory study of beta-hydride elimination of ethyl on flat and stepped Cu surfaces

Plane wave density functional theory calculations have been used to characterize the transition states for beta-hydride elimination of ethyl on Cu(100), Cu(110), Cu(111), and Cu(221). The reaction rates predicted by these calculations have been compared to experiments by including tunneling corrections within harmonic transition state theory. Tunneling corrections are found to be important in describing the peak temperatures observed using temperature programmed desorption experiments on Cu(110), Cu(111), and Cu(221). Once these corrections are included, the effective activation energies obtained from our calculations are in good agreement with previous experimental studies of this reaction on these four Cu surfaces. The transition states determined in our calculations are used to examine two general hypotheses that have been suggested to describe structure sensitivity in metal-catalyzed surface reactions.     

Atomic ionization potentials and electron affinities with relativistic and mass corrections

Relativistic corrections to ionization potentials (IPs) and electron affinities (EAs) of atoms with an atomic number Z≤54 are examined based on the first-order perturbation theory with an approximate Schr?dinger form of the Dirac-Coulomb-Breit Hamiltonian. Using a Hartree-Fock (HF) wave function from the numerical HF method as the unperturbed function, both the LS-non-splitting and fine-structure corrections are evaluated together with the normal and specific mass corrections. The LS-non-splitting corrections are found to be important for IPs and EAs of transition metal atoms. The fine-structure corrections are generally larger in magnitude than the LS-non-splitting corrections for the atoms of groups 13–18 with Z≥31, and can never be neglected. Comparison of the IPs and EAs presented here and experimental IPs and EAs gives an estimation of the electron correlation correction for these properties. For some light atoms, the estimated values agree with the results directly obtained from correlated calculations. Received: 28 January 1997 / Accepted: 4 March 1997     

Nonadiabatic corrections to the wave function and energy

Nonadiabatic corrections in molecules composed of a few atoms are considered. It is demonstrated that a systematic perturbative expansion around the adiabatic solution is possible, with the expansion parameter being the electron-nucleus mass ratio to the 3/4 power. Closed form formulas for the leading corrections to the wave function and to the energy are derived. Their applicability is demonstrated by a comparison of numerical results for the hydrogen molecule with the former nonadiabatic calculations and the experimental values. Good agreement with the recent experiment is achieved for the ground state dissociation energy of both H(2) and D(2).     

Bethe logarithm and Lamb shift for the hydrogen molecular ion

A variational method is used to evaluate Bethe logarithm for the ground electronic state of the hydrogen molecular ion. The trial function employed in the calculations analytically represents the singular behavior of the exact solution of the variational problem for high virtual photon energies. This ensures that the accuracy of six significant figures can be obtained with basis sets not exceeding 70 functions. For the equilibrium internuclear separation of 2.0 bohr, the calculated value of the Bethe logarithm, equal to 2.31936, lies outside the bounds 2.35 and 2.56, representing the best previous estimation of this quantity. The accurate values of the Bethe logarithm for internuclear separations ranging from 0.6 to 6.0 bohr are tabulated and used to calculate the radiative corrections to the rovibrational energy levels of H₂⁺, HD⁺, and D₂⁺. The influence of these corrections on the transition and dissociation energies is also examined.     

Elucidating the Origin of Conformational Energy Differences in Substituted 1,3-Dioxanes: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Study

13C NMR spectroscopy, ab initio quantum mechanics, and molecular mechanics have been used to investigate the trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,2,6-trimethyl-1,3-dioxane chair/twist-boat equilibrium. The molecular mechanics calculations were based upon the MM3 and AMBER force fields. A 6-31G basis set was used for the ab initio calculations, and MP2 correlation corrections were applied. Both the ab initio and AMBER molecular mechanics calculations are consistent with the (13)C NMR chemical shift differences for the trans-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2,2,6-trimethyl-1,3-dioxane conformers. The predicted chair to twist-boat equilibrium suggested by the MM3 calculations is not consistent with the experimental data. These results support the suggestion by Howard et al. (Howard, A. E.; Cieplak, P.; Kollman, P. A. J. Comput.Chem. 1995, 16, 243-261) on the critical role of electrostatic interactions in determining the chair/twist-boat equilibrium.     

Relativistically corrected geometries obtained with analytical gradients: normalized elimination of the small component using an effective potential

For the quasi-relativistic normalized elimination of small component using an effective potential (NESC-EP) method, analytical energy gradients were developed, programmed, and implemented in a standard quantum chemical program package. NESC-EP with analytical gradients was applied to determine geometry, vibrational frequencies, and dissociation enthalpies of ferrocene, tungsten hexafluoride, and tungsten hexacarbonyle. Contrary to non-relativistic calculations and calculations carried out with RECPs for the same compounds, NESC-EP provided reliable molecular properties in good agreement with experiment. The computational power of NESC-EP results from the fact that reliable relativistic corrections are obtained at a cost level only slightly larger than that of a non-relativistic calculation.