Ab initio study of Rg–N2 and Rg–C2 van der Waals complexes (Rg=He, Ne, Ar)

Intermolecular interactions probed by rotational dynamics in gas-phase clusters

The rotational dynamics of a molecule is sensitive to neighboring atoms or molecules, which can be used to probe the intermolecular interactions in the gas phase. Here, we real-time track the laser-driven rotational dynamics of a single N2 molecule affected by neighboring Ar atoms using coincident Coulomb explosion imaging. We find that the alignment trace of N-N axis decays fast and only persists for a few picoseconds when an Ar atom is nearby. We show that the decay rate depends on the rotational geometry of whether the Ar atom stays in or out of the rotational plane of the N2 molecule. Additionally, the vibration of the van der Waals bond is found to be excited through coupling with the rotational N-N axis. The observations are well reproduced by solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation after taking the interaction potential between the N2 and Ar into consideration. Our results demonstrate that environmental effects on a molecular level can be probed by directly visualizing the rotational dynamics.

Complexes of helium with neutral molecules: Progress toward a quantitative scale of bonding character

The complexes of helium with nearly 30 neutral molecules (M) were investigated by various techniques of bonding analysis and symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (SAPT). The main investigated function was the local electron energy density H(r), analyzed, in particular, so to estimate the degree of polarization (DoP) of He in the various He(M). As we showed recently (Borocci et al., J. Comput. Chem., 2019, 40, 2318-2328), the DoP is a quantitative index that is generally informative about the role of polarization (induction plus charge transfer [CT]) and dispersion in noncovalent noble gas complexes. As further evidence in this regard, we presently ascertained quantitative correlations between the DoP(He) of the He(M) and indices based on the electron density ρ(r), including the molecular electrostatic potential at the HeM bond critical point, as well as the percentage contributions of induction and dispersion to the SAPT binding energies. Based also on the explicit evaluation of the CT, accomplished through the study of the charge-displacement function, we derived a quantitative scale that ranks the He(M) according to their dispersive, inductive, and CT bonding character. Our taken approach could be conceivably extended to other types of noncovalent complexes.

Periodic Dispersion-Corrected Approach for Isolation Spectroscopy of N2 in an Argon Environment: Clusters, Surfaces, and Matrices

Ab initio and Perdew, Burke, and Ernzerhof (PBE) density functional theory with dispersion correction (PBE-D3) calculations are performed to study N₂-Ar_n (n ≤ 3) complexes and N₂ trapped in Ar matrix (i.e., N₂@Ar). For cluster computations, we used both Møller-Plesset (MP2) and PBE-D3 methods. For N₂@Ar, we used a periodic-dispersion corrected model for Ar matrix, which consists on a slab of four layers of Ar atoms. We determined the equilibrium structures and binding energies of N₂ interacting with these entities. We also deduced the N₂ vibrational frequency shifts caused by clustering or embedding compared to an isolated N₂ molecule. Upon complexation or embedding, the vibrational frequency of N₂ is slightly shifted, while its equilibrium distance remains unchanged. This is due to the weak interactions between N₂ and Ar within these compounds. Our calculations show the importance of inclusion of dispersion effects for the accurate description of geometrical and spectroscopic parameters of N₂ isolated, in interaction with Ar surfaces, or trapped in Ar matrices.

H3(+) as a trap for noble gases-3: multiple trapping of neon, argon, and krypton in X(n)H3(+) (n = 1-3)

Recent studies on the formation of XH(3)(+) noble gas complexes have shown strategic implications for the composition of the atmospheres of the giant planets as well as for the composition of comets. One crucial factor in the astrophysical process is the relative abundances of the noble gases versus H(3)(+). It is the context in which the possibility for clustering with more than one noble gas (X(n)H(3)(+) up to n = 3) has been investigated for noble gases X ranging from neon to krypton. In order to assert our results, a variety of methods have been used including ab initio coupled cluster CCSD and CCSD(T), MP2, and density functional BH&HLYP levels of theory. All complexes with one, two, and three noble gases are found to be stable in the Ne, Ar, and Kr families. These stable structures are planar with the noble gases attached to the apices of the H(3)(+) triangle. The binding energy of the nth atom, defined as the X(n)H(3)(+) --> X(n-1)H(3)(+) + X reaction energy, increases slightly with n varying from 1 to 3 in the neon series, while it decreases in the argon series and shows a minimum for n = 2 in the krypton series. The origin of this phenomenon is to be found in the variations in the respective vibrational energies. A topological analysis of the electron localization function shows the importance of the charge transfer from the noble gases toward H(3)(+) as a driving force in the bonding along the series. It is also consistent with the increase in the atomic polarizabilities from neon to krypton. Rotational constants and harmonic frequencies are reported in order to provide a body of data to be used for the detection in laboratory prior to space observations. This study strongly suggests that the noble gases could be sequestered even in an environment where the H(3)(+) abundance is small.

Predicted bound states and microwave spectrum of N2-He van der Waals complexes

Numerical calculations show that four modern potential energy surfaces for N(2)-He all support 18 bound intermolecular states for the homonuclear isotopologues (14,14)N(2)-(4)He and (15,15)N(2)-(4)He, and 12 (or 13, for one surface) truly bound states for (14,15)N(2)-He. This contradicts a recent statement [Patel et al., J. Chem. Phys. 119, 909 (2003)] that one of these surfaces supports no bound states, and it yields predictions for 27 allowed pure rotational transitions among the truly bound states of the homonuclear isotopologues of this complex.

H(3) (+) as a trap for noble gases--2: structure and energetics of XH(3) (+) complexes from X=neon to xenon

The affinity of H(3) (+) to combine with noble gases X has been investigated from neon to xenon using ab initio coupled cluster [CCSD and CCSD(T)] and density functional BH&HLYP levels of theory. For all noble gases, the stable structures belong to a C(2v) symmetry with an apex of the H(3) (+) triangle pointing to the noble gas. The structure of the complexes changes gradually from a practically pure Ne-H(3) (+) arrangement to a situation close to XeH(+)-H(2). A topological analysis of the electron localization function is used to illustrate the changes in the bonding along the series. The lowest dissociation energies of NeH(3) (+) and ArH(3) (+) ( approximately 1 and approximately 7 kcalmol) correspond to the breaking of the complexes according to X+H(3) (+), while the lowest dissociation energies of KrH(3) (+) and XeH(3) (+) ( approximately 8 and approximately 3 kcalmol) correspond to the breaking according to XH(+)+H(2). Rotational constants and harmonic frequencies are reported. Apart from XeH(3) (+) whose dipole moment (mu=2.6 D) may not be large enough, all the other complexes with dipole moments in the range of 6-8 D should be reasonable targets for detection by microwave spectroscopy. The present calculations are intended to stimulate both laboratory experiments and spatial observations since the possible sequestration of noble gases by H(3) (+) may have strong implications on the composition of astrophysical objects.

Accuracy of recent potential energy surfaces for the He–N2 interaction. I. Virial and bulk transport coefficients

A new exchange-Coulomb semiempirical model potential energy surface for the He-N2 interaction has been developed. Together with two recent high-level ab initio potential energy surfaces, it has been tested for the reliability of its predictions of second-virial coefficients and bulk transport phenomena in binary mixtures of He and N2. The agreement with the relevant available measurements is generally within experimental uncertainty for the exchange-Coulomb surface and the ab initio surface of Patel et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 119, 909 (2003)], but with slightly poorer agreement for the earlier ab initio surface of Hu and Thakkar [J. Chem. Phys. 104, 2541 (1996)].

New exchange-Coulomb N2-Ar potential-energy surface and its comparison with other recent N2-Ar potential-energy surfaces

The reliability of five N2-Ar potential-energy surfaces in representing the N2-Ar interaction has been investigated by comparing their abilities to reproduce a variety of experimental results, including interaction second viral coefficients, bulk transport properties, relaxation phenomena, differential scattering cross sections, and the microwave and infrared spectra of the van der Waals complexes. Four of the surfaces are the result of high-level ab initio quantal calculations; one of them utilized fine tuning by fitting to microwave data. To date, these four potential-energy surfaces have only been tested against experimental microwave data. The fifth potential-energy surface, based upon the exchange-Coulomb potential-energy model for the interaction of closed-shell species, is developed herein: it is a combination of a damped dispersion energy series and ab initio calculations of the Heitler-London interaction energy, and has adjustable parameters determined by requiring essentially simultaneous agreement with selected quality interaction second viral coefficient and microwave data. Comparisons are also made with the predictions of three other very good literature potential-energy surfaces, including the precursor of the new exchange-Coulomb potential-energy surface developed here. Based upon an analysis of a large body of information, the new exchange-Coulomb and microwave-tuned ab initio potential-energy surfaces provide the best representations of the N2-Ar interaction; nevertheless, the other potential-energy surfaces examined still have considerable merit with respect to the prediction of specific properties of the N2-Ar van der Waals complex. Of the two recommended surfaces, the new exchange-Coulomb surface is preferred on balance due to its superior predictions of the effective cross sections related to various relaxation phenomena, and to its reliable, and relatively simple, representation of the long-range part of the potential-energy surface. Moreover, the flexibility still inherent in the exchange-Coulomb potential form can be further exploited, if required, in future studies of the N2-Ar interaction.

A density-functional model of the dispersion interaction

We have recently introduced [J. Chem. Phys. 122, 154104 (2005)] a simple parameter-free model of the dispersion interaction based on the instantaneous in space, dipole moment of the exchange hole. The model generates remarkably accurate interatomic and intermolecular C6 dispersion coefficients, and geometries and binding energies of intermolecular complexes. The model involves, in its original form, occupied Hartree-Fock or Kohn-Sham orbitals. Here we present a density-functional reformulation depending only on total density, the gradient and Laplacian of the density, and the kinetic-energy density. This density-functional model performs as well as the explicitly orbital-dependent model, yet offers obvious computational advantages.

Long-range corrected density functional study on weakly bound systems: Balanced descriptions of various types of molecular interactions

The long-range correction scheme for the density functional theory, combined with a van der Waals functional, is examined for its applicability to a wide variety of weakly bonded complexes including dispersion, dipole-induced dipole, dipole-dipole, and hydrogen-bonded complexes. The present method is able to describe geometries and binding energies of all these complexes accurately. Explicit inclusion of the long-range exchange and dispersion interactions is found to be important for the balanced description of various kinds of weak interactions. The present method is a promising alternative for high-level ab initio methods in calculations of large and complex systems, because it gives equally correct descriptions for various types of molecular interactions with much less computational cost.

A post-Hartree-Fock model of intermolecular interactions

Intermolecular interactions are of great importance in chemistry but are difficult to model accurately with computational methods. In particular, Hartree-Fock and standard density-functional approximations do not include the physics necessary to properly describe dispersion. These methods are sometimes corrected to account for dispersion by adding a pairwise C6R6 term, with C6 dispersion coefficients dependent on the atoms involved. We present a post-Hartree-Fock model in which C6 coefficients are generated by the instantaneous dipole moment of the exchange hole. This model relies on occupied orbitals only, and involves only one, universal, empirical parameter to limit the dispersion energy at small interatomic separations. The model is extensively tested on isotropic C6 coefficients of 178 intermolecular pairs. It is also applied to the calculation of the geometries and binding energies of 20 intermolecular complexes involving dispersion, dipole-induced dipole, dipole-dipole, and hydrogen-bonding interactions, with remarkably good results.

A post-Hartree-Fock model of intermolecular interactions: Inclusion of higher-order corrections

We have previously demonstrated that the dipole moment of the exchange hole can be used to derive intermolecular C(6) dispersion coefficients [J. Chem. Phys. 122, 154104 (2005)]. This was subsequently the basis for a novel post-Hartree-Fock model of intermolecular interactions [J. Chem. Phys. 123, 024101 (2005)]. In the present work, the model is extended to include higher-order dispersion coefficients C(8) and C(10). The extended model performs very well for prediction of intermonomer separations and binding energies of 45 van der Waals complexes. In particular, it performs twice as well as basis-set extrapolated MP2 theory for dispersion-bound complexes, with minimal computational cost.

Spectroscopic characterization of the C2–Ne van der Waals complex

Binary complexes of C2 with rare-gas atoms (C2-Rg) have attracted theoretical interest as their potential-energy surfaces are predicted to support linear equilibrium geometries, without the local minimum for the T-shaped geometry that would be expected using a standard pair-potential model. In the present work we have explored the properties of C2-Ne using laser-induced fluorescence detection of the D 1Sigmau +-X 1Sigmag + transition. Bands of the complex were observed in association with the monomer 0-0 and 1-1 transitions. Rotationally resolved data yielded rotational constants of B'=0.099(3) cm(-1) and B"=0.100(3) cm(-1) for the excited and ground states, respectively. Analysis of the rovibrational energy-level structure for C2(D)-Ne indicates that the complex has a linear equilibrium structure with a barrier to internal rotation of approximately 15 cm(-1). Data for the ground state validate a recent high-level ab initio calculation of the potential-energy surface for C2(X)-Ne.

Electronic spectroscopy of C2 in solid rare gas matrixes

Electronic spectroscopy of the C(2) molecule is investigated in Ar, Kr, and Xe matrixes in the 150-500 nm range. In the Ar matrix, the D ((1)Sigma(u)(+)) <-- ((1)Sigma(g)(+)) Mulliken band near 240 nm is the sole absorption in the UV range, whereas in the Kr matrix additional bands in the 188-209 nm range are assigned to the Kr(n)()(+)C(2)(-) <-- Kr(n)()C(2) charge-transfer absorptions. Because of the formation of a bound C(2)Xe species, the spectral observations in the Xe matrix differ dramatically from the lighter rare gases: the Mulliken band is absent and new bands appear near 300 and 423 nm. The latter is assigned to the forbidden B'((1)Sigma(g)(+)) <-- X ((1)Sigma(g)(+)) transition, but the origin of the former remains unclear. The spectral assignments are aided by electronic structure calculations at the MCSCF, CCSD(T), and BCCD(T) levels of theory and correlation consistent basis sets. A significant presence of multireference character of the C(2)Xe system was noted and a linear ground-state structure is predicted. The computational results contradict previous density functional studies on the same system.

Accurate intermolecular ground state potential of the Ar-N2 van der Waals complex

After carrying out a systematic basis set convergence study, we evaluate several ground state potential energy surfaces of the Ar-N(2) van der Waals complex at the coupled cluster singles and doubles model including connected triples corrections. We use the aug-cc-pVXZ (X=5,Q,D) and the daug-cc-pVQZ basis sets augmented with a set of 3s3p2d1f1g (denoted 33211) and 3s3p2d2f1g (denoted 33221) midbond functions, respectively. aug-cc-pVTZ-33211 results were available in the literature. The aug-cc-pV5Z-33211 (daug-cc-pVQZ-33221) surface is characterized by a T-shaped minimum at R(e)=3.709 (3.701) A and of 99.01 (102.50) cm(-1), and a linear saddle point at 4.260 (4.257) A and D(e)=75.28 (79.73) cm(-1). These results are compared with the values provided by the semiempirical potentials available, and those of previous theoretical studies. The basis set convergence of the intermolecular potentials is also analyzed. From the potentials the rovibronic spectroscopic properties are determined. We study the basis set convergence of the rotational frequencies. The binding parameters that characterized the aug-cc-pVTZ-33211 surface are reasonable, but the surface is not good enough to evaluate the microwave spectra. The aug-cc-pVQZ-33211 basis set results considerably improve the triple zeta and are close to the aug-cc-pV5Z-33211. Considering the small differences between the quadruple and the quintuple zeta surfaces, the latter results can be expected to be close to convergence. At this level the differences with respect to the accurate experimental frequencies are in the order of 0.7%. In the case of the daug-cc-pVXZ-33211,33221 (X=5,Q,T,D) series, the convergence of the interaction energies with respect to basis set improvement is not so smooth. The errors in the frequencies obtained with the daug-cc-pVQZ-33221 basis set with respect to experiment are in the order of 0.4%.

Infrared spectrum and stability of a π-type hydrogen-bonded complex between the OH and C2H2 reactants

A hydrogen-bonded complex between the hydroxyl radical and acetylene has been stabilized in the reactant channel well leading to the addition reaction and characterized by infrared action spectroscopy in the OH overtone region. Analysis of the rotational band structure associated with the a-type transition observed at 6885.53(1) cm(-1) (origin) reveals a T-shaped structure with a 3.327(5) A separation between the centers of mass of the monomer constituents. The OH (v = 1) product states populated following vibrational predissociation show that dissociation proceeds by two mechanisms: intramolecular vibrational to rotational energy transfer and intermolecular vibrational energy transfer. The highest observed OH product state establishes an upper limit of 956 cm(-1) for the stability of the pi-type hydrogen-bonded complex. The experimental results are in good accord with the intermolecular distance and well depth at the T-shaped minimum energy configuration obtained from complementary ab initio calculations, which were carried out at the restricted coupled cluster singles, doubles, noniterative triples level of theory with extrapolation to the complete basis set limit.

Accurate intermolecular ground state potential of the Ne–N2 van der Waals complex

Ab initio ground state potential energy surfaces are obtained from interaction energies calculated with the coupled cluster singles and doubles model including connected triples corrections [CCSD(T)] and the aug-cc-pVXZ (X=5,Q,T,D) basis sets augmented with two different sets of midbond functions (denoted 33221 and 33211). The aug-cc-pV5Z-33221 surface is characterized by a T-shaped 49.5 cm(-1) minimum at Re=3.38 Angstroms and a linear saddle point at 3.95 Angstroms with De=36.6 cm(-1). These results agree well with the values provided by the accurate semiempirical potentials available. The rovibronic spectroscopic properties are determined and compared to the available experimental data and previous theoretical results. We study the basis set convergence of the intermolecular potentials and the rotational frequencies. The aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets provide reasonable binding parameters, but seem not to be converged enough for the evaluation of the microwave spectra. The aug-cc-pVQZ basis sets considerably improve the triple zeta results. The differences between the results obtained with the aug-cc-pVTZ-33221 basis set surface and those with the aug-cc-pVQZ-33221 are smaller than those of the corresponding bases with the set of 33211 midbond functions. The aug-cc-pVQZ surfaces are close to the aug-cc-pV5Z, that are expected to be close to convergence. With our best surfaces the errors in the frequencies with respect to the accurate experimental results go down to 0.6%.

Complete basis set extrapolated potential energy, dipole, and polarizability surfaces of alkali halide ion-neutral weakly avoided crossings with and without applied electric fields

Complete basis set extrapolations of alkali halide (LiF, LiCl, NaF, NaCl) energy, dipole, and polarizability surfaces are performed with and without applied fields along the internuclear axis using state-averaged multireference configuration interaction. Comparison between properties (equilibrium separation, dissociation energy, crossing distance, diabatic coupling constant, dipole, and polarizability) derived from the extrapolated potential energy (or dipole) surfaces are made with those obtained from direct extrapolation from the basis set trends. The two extrapolation procedures are generally found to agree well for these systems. Crossing distances from this work are compared to those of previous work and values obtained from the Rittner potential. Complete basis set extrapolated crossing distances agree well with those derived from the Rittner potential for LiF, but were significantly larger for LiCl, NaF, and NaCl. The results presented here serve as an important set of benchmark data for the development of new-generation many-body force fields that are able to model charge transfer.

A Review on Recent Developments in Syntheses of the Post-Secodine Indole Alkaloids. Part I: The Primary Alkaloid Types

This first part of a planned review on developments in the field of total and formal total synthesis of the post-secodine indole alkaloids concentrates on primary alkaloid types. It reviews the synthesis of secodine, aspidospermane, pseudoaspidospermane and ibogane alkaloids; andranginine is also included. It covers the literature from 1992-1993 up to approximately May 2004. A review with 179 references.