Nuclear quantum and H/D isotope effects on three-centered bonding diborane: Path integral molecular dynamics simulations

Nuclear quantum and H/D isotope effects of bridging and terminal hydrogen atoms of diborane (B₂H₆) molecules were systematically studied by classical ab initio molecular dynamics (CLMD) and ab initio path integral molecular dynamics (PIMD) simulations with BHandHLYP/6-31++G** level of theory at room temperature (298.15 K). Calculated results clearly show that H/D isotope effect appears in the distribution of hydrogen (deuterium) of B₂H₆ (B₂D₆). Geometry of B₂H₆ also plays a significant role in the nuclear quantum effect proved by PIMD simulations, but slightly deviated from its equilibrium structure when simulated via CLMD simulation. The bond lengths between boron atoms R (B1 … B2) and the bridging hydrogen atoms R_HH (H_B1 … H_B2) of the B₂H₆ molecule obtained from PIMD simulations are slightly longer than those of the deuterated form of the diborane (B₂D₆) molecule. The principal component analysis (PCA) was also employed to distinguish the important modes of bridging hydrogen as related to the nuclear quantum and H/D isotope effects. The highest level of contribution obtained from PCA of PIMD simulations is bending, while various mixed vibrations with less contribution were also found. Therefore, the nuclear quantum and H/D isotope effects need to be taken into account for a better understanding of diborane geometry.