Characterization of the potential energy surfaces of two small but challenging noncovalent dimers: (P2)2 and (PCCP)2

This work characterizes eight stationary points of the P₂ dimer and six stationary points of the PCCP dimer, including a newly identified minimum on both potential energy surfaces. Full geometry optimizations and corresponding harmonic vibrational frequencies were computed with the second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2) electronic structure method and six different basis sets: aug‐cc‐pVXZ, aug‐cc‐pV(X+d)Z, and aug‐cc‐pCVXZ where X = T, Q. A new L‐shaped structure with C₂ symmetry is the only minimum for the P₂ dimer at the MP2 level of theory with these basis sets. The previously reported parallel‐slipped structure with C_2h symmetry and a newly identified cross configuration with D₂ symmetry are the only minima for the PCCP dimer. Single point energies were also computed using the canonical MP2 and CCSD(T) methods as well as the explicitly correlated MP2‐F12 and CCSD(T)‐F12 methods and the aug‐cc‐pVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5) basis sets. The energetics obtained with the explicitly correlated methods were very similar to the canonical results for the larger basis sets. Extrapolations were performed to estimate the complete basis set (CBS) limit MP2 and CCSD(T) binding energies. MP2 and MP2‐F12 significantly overbind the P₂ and PCCP dimers relative to the CCSD(T) and CCSD(T)‐F12 binding energies by as much as 1.5 kcal mol^?1 for the former and 5.0 kcal mol^?1 for the latter at the CBS limit. The dominant attractive component of the interaction energy for each dimer configuration was dispersion according to several symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory analyses. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Intermolecular potential energy surface for CS2 dimer

A new four‐dimensional intermolecular potential energy surface for CS₂ dimer is obtained by ab initio calculation of the interaction energies for a range of configurations and center‐of‐mass separation distances for the first time. The calculations were performed using the supermolecular approach at the Møller–Plesset second‐order perturbation (MP2) level of theory with the augmented correlation consistent basis sets (aug‐cc‐pVxZ, x = D, T) and corrected for the basis‐set superposition error using the full counterpoise correction method. A two‐point extrapolation method was used to extrapolate the calculated energy points to the complete basis set limit. The effect of using the higher levels of theory, quadratic configuration interaction containing single, double, and perturbative triple excitations QCISD(T) and coupled cluster singles, doubles and perturbative triples excitations CCSD(T), on the shape of potential energy surface was investigated. It is shown that the MP2 level of theory apparently performs extremely poorly for describing the intermolecular potential energy surface, overestimating the total energy by a factor of nearly 1.73 in comparison with the QCISD(T) and CCSD(T) values. The value of isotropic dipole–dipole dispersion coefficient (C₆) of CS₂ fluid was obtained from the extrapolated MP2 potential energy surface. The MP2 extrapolated energy points were fitted to well‐known analytical potential functions using two different methods to represent the potential energy surface analytically. The most stable configuration of the dimer was determined at R = 6.23 au, α = 90°, β = 90°, and γ = 90°, with a well depth of 3.980 kcal mol^?1 at the MP2 level of theory. Finally, the calculated second virial coefficients were compared with experimental values to test the quality of the presented potential energy surface. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011.     

Computational thermochemistry of glycolaldehyde

We use a variant of the focal point analysis to refine estimates of the relative energies of the four low‐energy torsional conformers of glycolaldehyde. The most stable form is the cis‐cis structure which enjoys a degree of H‐bonding from hydroxyl H to carbonyl O; here dihedral angles τ₁ (O?C? C? O) and τ₂ (C? C? O? H) both are zero. We optimized structures in both CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ; the structures agree within 0.01 Å for bond lengths and 1.0 degrees for valence angles, but the larger basis brings the rotational constants closer to experimental values. According to our extrapolation of CCSD(T) energies evaluated in basis sets ranging to aug‐cc‐pVQZ the trans‐trans form (180°, 180°) has a relative energy of 12.6 kJ/mol. The trans‐gauche conformer (160°, ±75°) is situated at 13.9 kJ/mol and the cis‐trans form (0°, 180°) at 18.9 kJ/mol. Values are corrected for zero point vibrational energy by MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ frequencies. Modeling the vibrational spectra is best accomplished by MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ with anharmonic corrections. We compute the Watsonian parameters that define the theoretical vibrational‐rotational spectra for the four stable conformers, to assist the search for these species in the interstellar medium. Six transition states are located by G4 and CBS‐QB3 methods as well as extrapolation using energies for structures optimized in CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVDZ structures. We use two isodesmic reactions with two well‐established thermochemical computational schemes G4 and CBS‐QB3 to estimate energy enthalpy and Gibbs energy of formation as well as the entropy of the gas phase system. Our extrapolated electronic energies of species appearing in the isodesmic reactions produce independent values of thermodynamic quantities consistent with G4 and CBS‐QB3. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Highly Accurate CCSD(T) and DFT–SAPT Stabilization Energies of H‐Bonded and Stacked Structures of the Uracil Dimer

The CCSD(T) interaction energies for the H‐bonded and stacked structures of the uracil dimer are determined at the aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ levels. On the basis of these calculations we can construct the CCSD(T) interaction energies at the complete basis set (CBS) limit. The most accurate energies, based either on direct extrapolation of the CCSD(T) correlation energies obtained with the aug‐cc‐pVDZ and aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets or on the sum of extrapolated MP2 interaction energies (from aug‐cc‐pVTZ and aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis sets) and extrapolated ΔCCSD(T) correction terms [difference between CCSD(T) and MP2 interaction energies] differ only slightly, which demonstrates the reliability and robustness of both techniques. The latter values, which represent new standards for the H‐bonding and stacking structures of the uracil dimer, differ from the previously published data for the S22 set by a small amount. This suggests that interaction energies of the S22 set are generated with chemical accuracy. The most accurate CCSD(T)/CBS interaction energies are compared with interaction energies obtained from various computational procedures, namely the SCS–MP2 (SCS: spin‐component‐scaled), SCS(MI)–MP2 (MI: molecular interaction), MP3, dispersion‐augmented DFT (DFT–D), M06–2X, and DFT–SAPT (SAPT: symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory) methods. Among these techniques, the best results are obtained with the SCS(MI)–MP2 method. Remarkably good binding energies are also obtained with the DFT–SAPT method. Both DFT techniques tested yield similarly good interaction energies. The large magnitude of the stacking energy for the uracil dimer, compared to that of the benzene dimer, is explained by attractive electrostatic interactions present in the stacked uracil dimer. These interactions force both subsystems to approach each other and the dispersion energy benefits from a shorter intersystem separation.     

A Theoretical Study of the Kinetics of the Hydrogen Atom Abstraction Reactions from Cyclopropane by H,O (3P), and Cl (2P3/2) Atoms and OH Radicals

The rate constants of the H‐abstraction reactions from cyclopropane by H, O (³P), Cl (²P_3/2), and OH radicals have been calculated over the temperature range of 250?2500 K using two different levels of theory. Calculations of optimized geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies are performed using the MP2 method combined with the cc‐pVTZ basis set and the 6–311++G(d,p) basis set. Single‐point energy calculations have been carried out with the highly correlated ab initio coupled cluster method in the space of single, double, and triple (perturbatively) electron excitations CCSD(T) using either the cc‐pVTZ, aug‐cc‐pVTZ, and aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis sets or the 6–311++G(3df,3pd) basis set. The CCSD(T) calculated potential energies have been extrapolated to the complete basis limit (CBS) limit. The Full Configuration Interaction (FCI) energies have been also estimated using the continued‐fraction approximation as proposed by Goodson (J. Chem. Phys., 2002, 116, 6948–6956). Canonical transition‐state theory combined with an Eckart tunneling correction has been used to predict the rate constants as a function of temperature using two kinetic models (direct abstraction or complex mechanism) at two levels of theory (CCSD(T)‐cf/CBS//MP2/cc‐pVTZ and CCSD(T)‐cf/6–311++G(3df,3pd)//MP2/6–311++G(d,p)). The calculated kinetic parameters are in reasonable agreement with their literature counterparts for all reactions. In the light of these trends, the use of the Pople‐style basis sets for studying the reactivity of other systems such as larger cycloalkanes or halogenated cycloalkanes is recommended because the 6–311++G(3df,3pd) basis set is less time consuming than the aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis set. Based on our calculations performed at the CCSD(T)‐cf/CBS//MP2/cc‐pVTZ level of theory, the standard enthalpy of formation at 298 K for the cyclopropyl radical has been reassessed and its value is (290.5 ± 1.6) kJ mol^?1.     

Theoretical study on the mechanisms of the nucleophilic substitution reactions of hydrosulfide ion and halomethanes

Three species involved in the nucleophilic substitution reaction of hydrosulfide ion and halomethanes are investigated by ab initio calculations. Geometries for stationary structures along the reaction paths are fully performed with the second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation approximation with the cc‐pVDZ basis set. The monomer geometries determined by the MP2 method match the experimental results very well. Single point energy calculations are carried out at the coupled cluster with perturbative triple excitations CCSD (T) theory with aug‐cc‐pVDZ basis set. Halomethanes have three conformers here, which lead to the three product channels, HSCH₃ + F^?1, HSCH₃ + Cl^?1, and HSCH₃ + Br^?1. The investigation encompasses the six complexes formed among three channels, respectively. By selecting the six complexes as the model, we investigate the binding energy, topological property of the electron charge density and their Laplacian in detail theoretically. Electrostatic density potential maps of halomethanes are generated for the determination of attractive interaction sites. It is proved that the similar misshaped electron clouds of the three halogen atoms result in the similar properties of the carbon‐halogen bonds, and reveals that the product ion‐dipole complexes interactions are predominantly electrostatic in nature. The calculated results predict the binding energy of the most stable complex in six complexes is ?47.06 kcal/mol at the MP2 level of theory. The second channel has the lowest energy barrier, which is ?3.63 kcal/mol at the CCSD (T) levels of theory, is expected to be the most important pathway. It occurs via C? Cl cleavage accompanied by C? S bond formation. The other two channels have higher energy barriers and are expected to have smaller rates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Estimation of isotropic nuclear magnetic shieldings in the CCSD(T) and MP2 complete basis set limit using affordable correlation calculations

A linear correlation between isotropic nuclear magnetic shielding constants for seven model molecules (CH₂O, H₂O, HF, F₂, HCN, SiH₄ and H₂S) calculated with 37 methods (34 density functionals, RHF, MP2 and CCSD(T)), with affordable pcS‐2 basis set and corresponding complete basis set results, estimated from calculations with the family of polarization‐consistent pcS‐n basis sets is reported. This dependence was also supported by inspection of profiles of deviation between CBS estimated nuclear shieldings and shieldings obtained with the significantly smaller basis sets pcS‐2 and aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J for the selected set of 37 calculation methods. It was possible to formulate a practical approach of estimating the values of isotropic nuclear magnetic shielding constants at the CCSD(T)/CBS and MP2/CBS levels from affordable CCSD(T)/pcS‐2, MP2/pcS‐2 and DFT/CBS calculations with pcS‐n basis sets. The proposed method leads to a fairly accurate estimation of nuclear magnetic shieldings and considerable saving of computational efforts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improving on equilibrium isotropic nuclear shielding constants

Isotropic nuclear shielding constants at the equilibrium molecular structure σ_eq and zero‐point vibrational corrections (ZPVCs) to σ_eq are evaluated using the B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory, as well as the KT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory. Various scaling factors and systematic corrections are obtained by linear regression to experimental shielding constants. Comparisons of the scaled and systematically corrected equilibrium and vibrationally averaged shielding constants reveal that, at the 99% confidence level, the ZPVCs via second‐order perturbation theory do not improve the agreement of B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and KT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ calculated shielding constants with experiment. This holds true when the same analysis is applied to CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pCV[TQ]Z calculated σ_eq of Teale et al. [Journal of Chemical Physics 2013, 138, 024111]. In addition, at the 99% confidence level, B3LYP/aug‐cc‐pVTZ and KT2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ scaled and systematically corrected shielding constants are found to be statistically no different from CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pCV[TQ]Z calculated σ_eq. The use of scaling factors and systematic corrections could thus provide a cheaper but yet reasonably accurate alternative for the study of nuclear shielding constants of larger systems.     

Ab initio calculations of the Ar–ethane intermolecular potential energy surface using bond function basis sets

The intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) of argon with ethane has been studied by ab initio calculations at the levels of second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation (MP2) theory and coupled‐cluster theory with single, double, and noniterative triple configurations (CCSD(T)) using a series of augmented correlation‐consistent basis sets. Two sets of bond functions, bf1 (3s3p2d) and bf2 (6s6p4d2f), have been added to the basis sets to show a dramatic and systematic improvement in the convergence of the entire PES. The PES of Ar–ethane is characterized by a global minimum at a near T‐shaped configuration with a well depth of 0.611 kcal mol^?1, a second minimum at a collinear configuration with a well depth of 0.456 kcal mol^?1, and a saddle point connecting the two minima. It is shown that an augmented correlation‐consistent basis set with a set of bond functions, either bf1 or bf2, can effectively produce results equivalent to the next larger augmented correlation‐consistent basis set, that is, aug‐cc‐pVDZ‐bf1 ≈ aug‐cc‐pVTZ, aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐bf1 ≈ aug‐cc‐pVQZ. Very importantly, the use of bond functions improves the PES globally, resulting accurate potential anisotropy. Finally, MP2 method is inadequate for accurate calculations, because it gives a potentially overestimated well depth and, more seriously, a poor potential anisotropy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Theoretical investigation of the structures and spectroscopic properties of (H2O4)n (n = 1–4) clusters

Density functional theory and ab initio calculations were performed to elucidate the hydrogen interactions in (H₂O₄)_n (n = 1–4) clusters. The optimized geometries, binding energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies were predicted at various levels of theory. The trans conformer of the H₂O₄ monomer was predicted to be the most stable structure at the CCSD(T)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory. The binding energies per H₂O₄ monomer increased in absolute value by 9.0, 10.1, and 11.8 kcal/mol from n = 2 to n = 4 at the MP2/cc‐pVTZ level of theory (after the zero‐point vibrational energy and basis set superposition error corrections). This result implies that the intermolecular hydrogen bonds were stronger in the long‐chain clusters, that is, the formation of the longer chain in the (H₂O₄)_n clusters was more energetically favorable.     

New global potential energy surface of the MgH2 system and dynamics studies of the reaction H + MgH → Mg + H2

A new global potential energy surface for the ground state of MgH₂ was constructed using the permutation invariant polynomial neural network method. About 70 000 ab initio energy points were calculated via the multi‐reference configuration interaction method method with aug‐cc‐pVTZ and aug‐cc‐pVQZ basis sets, and these points were used to construct the potential energy surface (PES). To avoid basis set superposition error, the basis set was extrapolated to the complete basis set limit using the two point energy extrapolation formula. The root mean square error of the present PES is only 8.85 meV. Initial state (v = 0, j = 0) dynamics studies were performed using the time‐dependent wave packet method with a second‐order split operator for the total angular momentum J up to a value of 50. Furthermore, the reaction probability, integral cross section, and thermal rate constant are reported and compared with available theoretical studies.     

On the validity of complete basis set extrapolation formula optimized for the equilibrium distance applied to the potential energy surface for the correlation energy of the helium dimer

Full configuration interaction calculations are performed for He₂ using various orbital basis sets of the aug‐cc‐pVXZ type, with the correlation energies being extrapolated to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. A two‐point CBS extrapolation formula has been utilized for such a purpose. It is shown that the extrapolation formula with the offset parameter k(R) optimized for the equilibrium distance is not uniformly applicable to He He distances in the very short region of the potential energy curve. The offset parameter k(R) in the repulsive region of the potential energy curve can be largely different with the one in the long‐range distances especially in the cases of basis‐sets with large cardinality number. It is also noticed that the accuracy of this extrapolation scheme may not be improved with the increasing of the cardinality number.     

Basis sets for the evaluation of van der Waals complex interaction energies: Ne–N2 intermolecular potential and microwave spectrum

In order to obtain efficient basis sets for the evaluation of van der Waals complex intermolecular potentials, we carry out systematic basis set studies. For this, interaction energies at representative geometries on the potential energy surfaces are evaluated using the CCSD(T) correlation method and large polarized LPol‐n and augmented polarization‐consistent aug‐pc‐2 basis sets extended with different sets of midbond functions. On the basis of the root mean square errors calculated with respect to the values for the most accurate potentials available, basis sets are selected for fitting the corresponding interaction energies and getting analytical potentials. In this work, we study the Ne–N₂ van der Waals complex and after the above procedure, the aug‐pc‐2–3321 and the LPol‐ds‐33221 basis set results are fitted. The obtained potentials are characterized by T‐shaped global minima at distances between the Ne atom and the N₂ center of mass of 3.39 Å, with interaction energies of ?49.36 cm^?1 for the aug‐pc‐2–3321 surface and ?50.28 cm^?1 for the LPol‐ds‐33221 surface. Both sets of results are in excellent agreement with the reference surface. To check the potentials further microwave transition frequencies are calculated that agree well with the experimental and the aV5Z‐33221 values. The success of this study suggests that it is feasible to carry out similar accurate calculations of interaction energies and ro‐vibrational spectra at reduced cost for larger complexes than has been possible hitherto. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Hydrogen bonding in the mixed HF/HCl dimer: Is it better to give or receive?

The ClH⋯FH and FH⋯ClH configurations of the mixed HF/HCl dimer (where the donor⋯acceptor notation indicates the directionality of the hydrogen bond) as well as the transition state connecting the two configurations have been optimized using MP2 and CCSD(T) with correlation consistent basis sets as large as aug‐cc‐pV(5 + d)Z. Harmonic vibrational frequencies confirmed that both configurations correspond to minima and that the transition state has exactly one imaginary frequency. In addition, anharmonic vibrational frequencies computed with second‐order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2) are within 6 cm⁻¹ of the available experimental values and deviate by no more than 4 cm⁻¹ for the complexation induced HF frequency shifts. The CCSD(T) electronic energies obtained with the largest basis set indicate that the barrier height is 0.40 kcal mol⁻¹ and the FH⋯ClH configuration lies 0.19 kcal mol⁻¹ below the ClH⋯FH configuration. While only modestly attenuating the barrier height, the inclusion of either the harmonic or anharmonic zero‐point vibrational energy effectively makes both minima isoenergetic, with the ClH⋯FH configuration being lower by only 0.03 kcal mol⁻¹. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Highly accurate equilibrium structure of the C2h symmetric N1‐to‐O2 hydrogen‐bonded uracil‐dimer

The highly accurate ab initio equilibrium geometry of the hydrogen‐bonded uracil dimer is derived using a composite geometry extrapolation scheme based on all‐electron, complete basis set extrapolated Møller–Plesset perturbation theory using the jun‐pwCV[T,Q]Z basis sets combined with a valence CCSD(T)/cc‐pVTZ high‐level correction. Geometrical changes on dimerization are discussed and the performance of the several density functional approximations (among others SCAN, ωB97M‐V, DSD‐PBEP86‐D3(BJ), and DSD‐PBEP86‐NL) is evaluated. Orbital‐optimized MP2.5 is discussed as a reduced‐cost alternative to the CCSD(T) gradient in the composite scheme. A new reference interaction energy is calculated with explicitly correlated F12‐CCSD(T).     

Nonempirical calculations of the one‐bond 29Si–13C spin–spin coupling constants taking into account relativistic and solvent corrections

The computational study of the one‐bond ²⁹Si–¹³C spin–spin coupling constants has been performed at the second‐order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA) level in the series of 60 diverse silanes with a special focus on the main factors affecting the accuracy of the calculation including the level of theory, the quality of the basis set, and the contribution of solvent and relativistic effects. Among three SOPPA‐based methods, SOPPA(MP2), SOPPA(CC2), and SOPPA(CCSD), the best result was achieved with SOPPA(CCSD) when used in combination with Sauer's basis set aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J characterized by the mean absolute error of calculated coupling constants against the experiment of ca 2 Hz in the range of ca 200 Hz. The SOPPA(CCSD)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J method is recommended as the most accurate and effective computational scheme for the calculation of ¹J(Si,C). The slightly less accurate but essentially more economical SOPPA(MP2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J and/or SOPPA(CC2)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ‐J methods are recommended for larger molecular systems. It was shown that solvent and relativistic corrections do not play a major role in the computation of the total values of ¹J(Si,C); however, taking them into account noticeably improves agreement with the experiment. The rovibrational corrections are estimated to be of about 1 Hz or 1–1.5% of the total value of ¹J(Si,C). Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intermolecular bond lengths: extrapolation to the basis set limit on uncorrected and BSSE‐corrected potential energy hypersurfaces

Geometry optimizations were carried out for the (HF)₂, (H₂O)₂, and HF–H₂O intermolecular complexes using the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVXZ {X=2, 3, 4, and 5} theoretical models on both the uncorrected and counterpoise (CP) corrected potential energy hypersurfaces (PES). Our results and the available literature data clearly show that extrapolation of intermolecular distances to the complete basis set (CBS) limit is satisfactory on PESs corrected for BSSE. On the other hand, one should avoid such extrapolations using data obtained from uncorrected PESs. Also, fixing intramolecular parameters at their experimental values could cause difficulties during the extrapolation. As the available literature data and our results clearly show, the MP2/aug‐cc‐pVXZ {X=2, 3, 4} data series of intermolecular distances obtained from the CP‐corrected surfaces can be safely used for the purpose of CBS extrapolations. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 196–207, 2001     

Highly accurate benchmark calculations of the interaction energies in the complexes C6H6···C6X6 (X = F,Cl, Br,and I)

Different from the case of the benzene dimer, the differences between the interaction energies are always less than 0.50 kcal/mol for face‐to‐face eclipsed, face‐to‐face staggered, and parallel‐displaced configurations of all investigated complexes C₆H₆···C₆X₆ (X = F, Cl, Br, and I). Hence, it is a great challenge for quantum chemists to accurately calculate the interaction energies for the three configurations of the complexes C₆H₆···C₆X₆. This work demonstrates that results obtained with the PBE0 density functional combined with the D3 dispersion correction (PBE0‐D3) and the basis set def2‐TZVPP are in excellent agreement with the estimates of the coupled‐cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] complete basis set (CBS) limit. The other finding in this study is that, in comparison with the gold‐standard CCSD(T)/CBS benchmark, the spin‐component scaled (SCS) zeroth‐order symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT0), when paired with the basis set aug‐cc‐pVDZ, performs also very well, and its performance is even better than that of the PBE0‐D3/def2‐TZVPP method or the conventional SAPT/aug‐cc‐pVQZ method. The findings of this study are very significant because both PBE0‐D3/def2‐TZVPP and SCS‐SAPT0/aug‐cc‐pVDZ can deal with the systems with more than 200 atoms.     

Revealing the physical nature and the strength of charge‐inverted hydrogen bonds by SAPT(DFT), MP2, SCS‐MP2, MP2C,and CCSD(T) methods

The physical nature of charge‐inverted hydrogen bonds in H₃XH YH₃ (X = Si, Ge; Y = Al, Ga) dimer systems is studied by means of the SAPT(DFT)‐based decomposition of interaction energies and supermolecular interaction energies based on MP2, SCS‐MP2, MP2C, and CCSD(T) methods utilizing dimer‐centered aug‐cc‐pCVnZ (n = D, T, Q) basis sets as well as an extrapolation to the complete basis set limit. It is revealed that charge‐inverted hydrogen bonds are inductive in nature, although dispersion is also important. Computed interaction energies form the following relation: . It is confirmed that the aug‐cc‐pCVDZ basis set performs poorly and that very accurate values of interaction and dispersion energies require basis sets of at least quadrupole‐ζ quality. Considerably large binding energies suggest potential usefulness of charge‐inverted hydrogen bonds as an important structural motif in molecular binding. Terminology applying to σ‐ and π‐hole interactions as well as to triel and tetrel bonds is discussed. According to this new terminology the charge‐inverted hydrogen bond would become the first described case of a hydride‐triel bond. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Development of a Flexible‐Monomer Two‐Body Carbon Dioxide Potential and Its Application to Clusters up to (CO2)13

A flexible‐monomer two‐body potential energy function was developed that approaches the high level CCSD(T)/CBS potential energy surface (PES) of carbon dioxide (CO₂) systems. This function was generated by fitting the electronic energies of unique CO₂ monomers and dimers to permutationally invariant polynomials. More than 200,000 CO₂ configurations were used to train the potential function. Comparisons of the PESs of six orientations of flexible CO₂ dimers were evaluated to demonstrate the accuracy of the potential. Furthermore, the potential function was used to determine the minimum energy structures of CO₂ clusters containing as many as 13 molecules. For isomers of (CO₂)₃, the potential demonstrated energetic agreement with the M06‐2X functional and structural agreement of the B2PLYP‐D functional at substantially reduced computational costs. A separate function, fit to MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ reference energies, was developed to directly compare the two‐body potential to the ab initio MP2 level of theory. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.