Experimental and ab Initio Equilibrium Structure and Harmonic Force Field of 1,2,5-Oxadiazole

Characterization of the Isothermal Compression Behavior of LLM-172

The high-pressure behavior of 3,4-bis(4-nitro-1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl)-1,2,5-oxadiazole (LLM-172) has been studied to 36 GPa by Raman spectroscopy and 50 GPa by X-ray diffraction. The Raman spectra and calculated unit-cell volumes at select pressures show reasonable qualitative agreement with first-principles density functional theory calculations. Raman peaks exhibit a gradual broadening and loss of intensity upon compression to near 20 GPa. Above 20 GPa, most Raman features disappear with the exception of modes associated with the skeletal ring modes. These modes were found to persist (although with low intensity) to 36 GPa. Because these modes exhibit very low compressibility over the pressure range studied, it is speculated that the ring structure is very stable. The X-ray diffraction suggests that while the crystal maintains an orthorhombic structure to near 40 GPa, it gradually undergoes a decomposition/amorphization beginning near 10 GPa. Analysis of the Raman results suggests that decomposition proceeds through isomerization, which leads to the formation of a C-O-N-O group rather than ring cleavage.

Accurate calculation of anharmonic vibrational frequencies of medium sized molecules using local coupled cluster methods

Local coupled cluster methods were applied for the automated generation of accurate multidimensional potential energy surfaces for a set of test molecules ranging from six to nine atoms. Based on these surfaces anharmonic fundamental frequencies were computed using vibrational self-consistent field and configuration interaction methods. The computed vibrational frequencies are compared to those obtained from similar calculations using conventional coupled cluster methods and to experimental values. The results from local and conventional methods are found to be of similar accuracy and in close agreement with experimental values. In addition, an efficient parallelization of the fully automated surface generation code is presented.

Equilibrium Structure of Sulfuric Acid

The equilibrium structure of the more stable conformer of H2SO4, of C2 symmetry, has been calculated ab initio using the CCSD(T) method and taking into account the core correlation correction. The accuracy of this structure has been checked by comparing it to that of similar molecules and by estimating the effects of basis set enlargement and of diffuse functions. Furthermore, the quadratic, cubic, and quartic force fields have been calculated at the MP2 level of theory using a basis set of triple-zeta quality. The spectroscopic constants derived from the force field are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental ones. The resulting band origins are compared to literature infrared values, including those for overtone and combination bands. Normal modes of vibration are pictured. Using this force field, semiexperimental equilibrium rotational constants are determined which allows us to check the accuracy of the ab initio structure and to refine it using a mixed regression method.

Vibrational analyses for CHFClBr and CDFClBr based on high levelab initiocalculations

Anharmonicity corrections to the harmonic vibrational spectra of CHFClBr and its deuterated isotopomer were computed by means of variational and perturbational approaches. A comparison of both methods is provided. Based on CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ electronic structure calculations excellent agreement with experimental data was obtained. Absolute mean deviations are in the range of about 4 cm(-1) for the fundamental modes, while slightly larger values of about 7 cm(-1) were found for the first vibrational overtones. In addition, vibrationally averaged structural parameters are provided for both molecules. The calculations will serve as a future starting point for parity-violation effects in vibrational transitions in these chiral molecules.