The prediction of core-level binding-energy shifts from CNDO molecular orbitals

A theory is described for calculating core-level binding-energy shifts with potential models that employ “intermediate-level” molecular-orbital wave functions. The relaxation-energy term in atomic core-level binding energies is considered first. The ground-state potential model (GPM) and relaxation-potential model (RPM) are developed for calculating core-level binding energy shifts in molecules from CNDO wavefunctions. It is shown that neglect of certain two- and three-center integrals in these models limits their accuracy when unlike molecules are compared. The models are modified by calculating r^?1 integrals, to be sensitive to bond directions of p orbitals. The pp′ modification, in which a subset of the neglected integrals is retained to recover invariance to coordinate transformations, is thereby necessitated. The GPM approach yields shifts in very good agreement with experiment when comparisons are restricted to similar molecules. The RPM version gives better agreement especially over wider classes of molecules. It also provides relaxation energies V_R that can be combined with ab initio orbital energies to give binding energies. Several applications of these potential models are discussed.