Ab initio valence-bond calculations of H2O

The first and second bond dissociation energies for H₂O have been calculated in anab initio manner using a multistructure valence-bond scheme. The basis set consisted of a minimal number of non-orthogonal atomic orbitals expressed in terms of gaussian-lobe functions. The valence-bond structures considered properly described the change in the molecular system as the hydrogen atoms were individually removed to infinity. The calculated equilibrium geometry for the H₂O molecule has an O-H bond length of 1.83 Bohrs and an HOH bond angle of 106.5°. With 49 valence-bond structures the energy of H₂O at this geometry was ?76.0202 Hartrees. The calculated equilibrium bond length for the OH radical was 1.86 Bohrs and the energy, using the same basis set, was ?75.3875 Hartrees. After correction for zero point energies the calculated bond dissociation energies are: H₂O → OH + H, D₁=75.38 kcal/mole and OH → O+H, D₂=54.79 kcal/mole.