The ellipsoidal Gaussian basis in molecular orbital theory

The ellipsoidal Gaussian basis function used in a minimal valence atomic orbital representation is compared with the double-zeta spherical Gaussian basis orbital representation for some seventeen molecules made up of first row atoms and hydrogen. Except for acetylene the double-zeta basis gives consistently better total electronic energies and generally better property values than the optimized ellipsoidal single zeta basis. Difference molecular density contour maps comparing the two basis sets, as well as other one-electron property values, indicate that the ellipsoidal basis exaggerates the transfer of charge from the atomic regions to the interatomic and lone pair regions of molecules. Apparently, the forced complete elliptization of the valence atomic orbital in the single-zeta representation does not allow the basis set sufficient flexibility to simultaneously represent both the basically spherical atomic part of these orbitals and the non-spherical molecular bond formation. Other properties and aspects of the ellipsoidal Gaussian basis are also discussed.