The effect of bond functions on molecular dissociation energies

Multi-reference Cl calculations are reported for the ground states of HCl and N₂ at their equilibrium distances, and for their separated atoms. Basis sets of double-zeta and double-zeta plus polarization quality are systematically augmented by additional sets of functions located at the bond centers. It is shown that use of bond functions can lead to either an underestimate or an overestimate of the the bond energy. Optimum basis sets for each molecule were obtained, giving D_e values of 4.59 eV for HCl (expt. 4.62 eV) and 9.96 eV for N₂ (expt. 9.905 eV) at the estimated full Cl level. The quality of the potential curves obtained with these basis sets is discussed.