Isomers of C(20): an energy profile

A path from Ih to C1 symmetry for C20 cage molecule

The symmetry of the C20 cage is studied based on the intrinsical relationship among point groups (Bradley, C. J.; Cracknell, A. P. The Mathematical Theory of Symmetry in Solids; Claredon Press: Oxford, 1972). The structure of the C20 cage with I(h) symmetry is constructed, as are eight other structures with subgroup symmetry. A path from I(h) symmetry to C1 symmetry is obtained for the closed-shell electronic state, and the structure with D2h symmetry is the most stable on this path. Using the D2h structure the correlation energy correction is studied on the condition of restricted excitation space at the CCSD(T) level. We obtain curves on the relation between the orbital numbers and the total energy at the CCSD(T), CCSD, and MP2 level, respectively. The results of these curves obtained from MP2 and CCSD(T) methods have the same tendency, while the results of CCSD gradually diverge with an increase in orbital numbers. When the orbitals used in the calculation reach 460, the total energy is -759.644 hartree at MP2 level and is -759.721 hartree by the CCSD(T) method. From the calculation results, we find that a large basis set can improve the reliability of the MP2 method, and to restrict excitation space is necessary when using the CCSD(T) method.

Isomers of C20: an energy profile III

Semiempirical calculations, at the PM3 level provided within the Winmopac v2.0 software package, are used to geometrically optimize and determine the absolute energies (heats of formation) of a variety of C(20) isomers that are predicted to exist in and around the ring and cage isomers. Using the optimized Cartesian coordinates for the ring and the cage isomers, a saddle-point calculation was performed. The resulting energy profile, consisting of a series of peaks and valleys, is used as a starting point for the identification and location of fifteen additional isomers of C(20) that are predicted to be energetically stable, both via geometry optimizations and force constant analysis. These additional isomers were subsequently determined to lie adjacent to one another on the potential surface and establish a step-wise transformation between the ring and the cage. Transition-state optimization of the Cartesian coordinates at the saddle point between adjacent isomers was performed to quantify the energy of the transition state. The step-wise process from one isomer to another, which extends out over the three-dimensional surface, is predicted to require approximately 15% less energy than that of the direct, two-dimensional transformation predicted in the bowl-cage profile. However, the net atomic rearrangement for the step-wise process is about four times greater than that of the direct process. Although less in energy, the amount of atomic rearrangement in the step-wise process would make the occurrence of such a route prohibitive. Utilizing the direct distance separating the three primary isomers (ring, bowl, cage), the method of triangulation is performed to quantitatively position other C(20) structures on the potential surface, relative to the ring, bowl, and cage isomers.

Isomers of C(20): an energy profile II

Semi-empirical calculations, at the PM3 level provided within the Winmopac v2.0 software package, are used to geometrically optimize and determine the absolute energies (heats of formation) of a variety of C(20) isomers that are predicted to exist in and around the bowl and cage isomers. Using the optimized Cartesian coordinates for the bowl and the cage isomers, a saddle-point calculation was performed. The output file generated, containing energy, distance, and geometry information, is then organized into a graphical format. The resulting graph, which plots the energy of the 20-atom system as a function of the distance from the geometric midpoint, is a two-dimensional energy profile. This profile illustrates an estimation of the contours on the potential energy surface, showing energy minima and maxima that are encountered as the bowl evolves into the cage structure, or vice-versa. To expand the surface into three dimensions, geometry optimizations were performed on the sets of Cartesian coordinates that correspond to energy minima in the bowl-cage profile. Based on these optimizations, eight additional isomers of C(20) have been identified and are predicted to be energetically stable. These additional isomers were subsequently subjected to saddle-point calculations in order to identify those isomers that lie adjacent to one another on the three-dimensional surface. Two isomers that are adjacent to each other will exhibit an energy profile that progresses smoothly from the potential well of each isomer up to the saddle point separating them. Consequently, these adjacent pairs of isomers establish a step-wise transformation between the bowl and the cage. This process, which extends out over the three-dimensional surface, is predicted to require less energy than that of the direct, two-dimensional transformation predicted in the bowl-cage profile.