Full dimensional (15-dimensional) quantum-dynamical simulation of the protonated water-dimer III: Mixed Jacobi-valence parametrization and benchmark results for the zero point energy, vibrationally excited states, and infrared spectrum

Vibrational dynamics of the H5(+) and its isotopologues from multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree calculations

Full-dimensional multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) computations are reported for the vibrational states of the H(5)(+) and its H(4)D(+), H(3)D(2)(+), H(2)D(3)(+), HD(4)(+), D(5)(+) isotopologues employing two recent analytical potential energy surfaces of Xie et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 122, 224307 (2005)] and Aguado et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 133, 024306 (2010)]. The potential energy operators are constructed using the n-mode representation adapted to a four-combined mode cluster expansion, including up to seven-dimensional grids, chosen adequately to take advantage in representing the MCTDH wavefunction. An error analysis is performed to quantify the convergence of the potential expansion to reproduce the reference surfaces at the energies of interest. An extensive analysis of the vibrational ground state properties of these isotopes and comparison with the reference diffusion Monte Carlo results by Acioli et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 128, 104318 (2008)] are presented. It is found that these systems are highly delocalized, interconverting between equivalent minima through rotation and internal proton transfer motions even at their vibrational ground state. Isotopic substitution affects the zero-point energy and structure, showing preference in the arrangements of the H and D within the mixed clusters, and the most stable conformers of each isotopomer are the ones with the H in the central position. Vibrational excited states are also computed and by comparing the energies and structures predicted from the two surfaces, the effect of the potential topology on them is discussed.

Correlated dynamics of the motion of proton-hole wave packets in a photoionized water cluster

We explore the correlated dynamics of an electron hole and a proton after ionization of a protonated water cluster by extreme ultraviolet light. An ultrafast decay mechanism is found in which the proton-hole dynamics after the ionization are driven by electrostatic repulsion and involve a strong coupling between the nuclear and electronic degrees of freedom. We describe the system by a quantum-dynamical approach and show that nonadiabatic effects are a key element of the mechanism by which electron and proton repel each other and become localized at opposite sides of the cluster. Based on the generality of the decay mechanism, similar effects may be expected for other ionized systems featuring hydrogen bonds.

Quantum-dynamics study of the H5+ cluster: full dimensional benchmark results on its vibrational states

A full-dimensional quantum dynamics study is carried out for the highly fluxional H(5)(+) cation on a recent reference potential energy surface by using the multi configuration time-dependent Hartree method. With five equivalent light atoms and shallow barriers between various low-lying stationary points on the surface, the spectroscopic characterization of H(5)(+) represents a huge challenge for accurate quantum dynamics simulations. The present calculation is the first such a study on this cation, which together with its isotope analogies are of primary importance in the interstellar chemistry. The vibrational ground state properties and several vibrationally excited states corresponding to low vibrational frequency motions, not yet directly observable by the experiment, are presented and analyzed.

Full-dimensional multi configuration time dependent Hartree calculations of the ground and vibrationally excited states of He2,3Br2 clusters

Quantum dynamics calculations are reported for the tetra-, and penta-atomic van der Waals He(N)Br(2) complexes using the multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) method. The computations are carried out in satellite coordinates, and the kinetic energy operator in this set of coordinates is given. A scheme for the representation of the potential energy surface based on the sum of the three-body HeBr(2) interactions at CSSD(T) level plus the He-He interaction is employed. The potential surfaces show multiple close lying minima, and a quantum description of such highly floppy multiminima systems is presented. Benchmark, full-dimensional converged results on ground vibrational/zero-point energies are reported and compared with recent experimental data available for all these complexes, as well as with previous variational quantum calculations for the smaller HeBr(2) and He(2)Br(2) complexes on the same surface. Some low-lying vibrationally excited eigenstates are also computed by block improved relaxation calculations. The binding energies and the corresponding vibrationally averaged structures are determined for different conformers of these complexes. Their relative stability is discussed, and contributes to evaluate the importance of the multiple-minima topology of the underlying potential surface.

Apparent stoichiometry of water in proton hydration and proton dehydration reactions in CH3CN/H2O solutions

Gradual solvation of protons by water is observed in liquids by mixing strong mineral acids with various amounts of water in acetonitrile solutions, a process which promotes rapid dissociation of the acids in these solutions. The stoichiometry of the reaction XH(+) + n(H(2)O) = X + (H(2)O)(n)H(+) was studied for strong mineral acids (negatively charged X, X = ClO(4)¯, Cl¯, Br¯, I¯, CF(3)SO(3)¯) and for strong cationic acids (uncharged X, X = R*NH(2), H(2)O). We have found by direct quantitative analysis preference of n = 2 over n = 1 for both groups of proton transfer reactions at relatively low water concentrations in acetonitrile. At high water concentrations, we have found that larger water solvates must also be involved in the solvation of the proton while the spectral features already observed for n = 2, H(+)(H(2)O)(2), remain almost unchanged at large n values up to at least 10 M of water.