: The unpolarized absorption and circular dichroism spectra of the fundamental vibrational transitions of the chiral molecule, 4-methyl-2-oxetanone, are calculated ab initio. Harmonic force fields are obtained using Density Functional Theory (DFT), MP2, and SCF methodologies and a 5S4P2D/3S2P (TZ2P) basis set. DFT calculations use the Local Spin Density Approximation (LSDA), BLYP, and Becke3LYP (B3LYP) density functionals. Mid-IR spectra predicted using LSDA, BLYP, and B3LYP force fields are of significantly different quality, the B3LYP force field yielding spectra in clearly superior, and overall excellent, agreement with experiment. The MP2 force field yields spectra in slightly worse agreement with experiment than the B3LYP force field. The SCF force field yields spectra in poor agreement with experiment.The basis set dependence of B3LYP force fields is also explored: the 6-31G* and TZ2P basis sets give very similar results while the 3-21G basis set yields spectra in substantially worse agreements with experiment. jg

Ab initio calculation of vibrational absorption and circular dichroism spectra using density functional force fields

The structural properties of free nanoclusters are reviewed. Special attention is paid to the interplay of energetic, thermodynamic, and kinetic factors in the explanation of cluster structures that are actually observed in experiments. The review starts with a brief summary of the experimental methods for the production of free nanoclusters and then considers theoretical and simulation issues, always discussed in close connection with the experimental results. The energetic properties are treated first, along with methods for modeling elementary constituent interactions and for global optimization on the cluster potential-energy surface. After that, a section on cluster thermodynamics follows. The discussion includes the analysis of solid-solid structural transitions and of melting, with its size dependence. The last section is devoted to the growth kinetics of free nanoclusters and treats the growth of isolated clusters and their coalescence. Several specific systems are analyzed.

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Structural properties of nanoclusters: Energetic, thermodynamic, and kinetic effects

We introduce density functional theory and review recent progress in its application to transition metal chemistry. Topics covered include local, meta, hybrid, hybrid meta, and range-separated functionals, band theory, software, validation tests, and applications to spin states, magnetic exchange coupling, spectra, structure, reactivity, and catalysis, including molecules, clusters, nanoparticles, surfaces, and solids.

Density functional theory for transition metals and transition metal chemistry

Theoretical studies on reactions of transition-metal complexes.

We present a systematic study for numerical atomic basis orbitals ranging from H to Kr, which could be used in large scale $\mathrm{O}(N)$ electronic structure calculations based on density-functional theories (DFT). The comprehensive investigation of convergence properties with respect to our primitive basis orbitals provides a practical guideline in an optimum choice of basis sets for each element, which well balances the computational efficiency and accuracy. Moreover, starting from the primitive basis orbitals, a simple and practical method for variationally optimizing basis orbitals is presented based on the force theorem, which enables us to maximize both the computational efficiency and accuracy. The optimized orbitals well reproduce convergent results calculated by a larger number of primitive orbitals. As illustrations of the orbital optimization, we demonstrate two examples: the geometry optimization coupled with the orbital optimization of a ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecule and the preorbital optimization for a specific group such as proteins. They clearly show that the optimized orbitals significantly reduce the computational efforts, while keeping a high degree of accuracy, thus indicating that the optimized orbitals are quite suitable for large scale DFT calculations.

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Numerical atomic basis orbitals from H to Kr

Density functional theory optimized basis sets for gradient corrected functionals for 3d transition metal atoms are presented. Double zeta valence polarization and triple zeta valence polarization basis sets are optimized with the PW86 functional. The performance of the newly optimized basis sets is tested in atomic and molecular calculations. Excitation energies of 3d transition metal atoms, as well as electronic configurations, structural parameters, dissociation energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies of a large number of molecules containing 3d transition metal elements, are presented. The obtained results are compared with available experimental data as well as with other theoretical data from the literature.

Density functional theory optimized basis sets for gradient corrected functionals: 3d transition metal systems.

The structure and stability of small copper clusters with up to ten atoms has been determined both for the neutral and the ionic clusters with density functional calculations. The calculations were of all-electron type. The structure optimization and frequency analysis were performed on the local density approximation level with the exchange correlation functional by Vosko, Wilk, and Nusair. Subsequently improved calculations for the stability were based on the generalized gradient approximation, where the exchange correlation functional of Perdew and Wang was used. Finally, the binding energies, ionization potentials, electron affinities, and separation energies were calculated. The results show that the trends are in agreement with available experimental data.

Structure and stability of small copper clusters

Density functional calculations have been performed for small copper clusters, Cun (n≤5), using the linear combination of Gaussian‐type orbitals density functional theory (LCGTO‐DFT) approach. The calculations were of the all‐electron type and local and nonlocal functionals were used. For each case, of both neutral and charged systems, several isomers have been considered in order to determine the lowest energy structures. The Jahn–Teller effect in Cu3 and Cu4 has been examined in detail. Bond lengths, equilibrium geometries, harmonic frequencies, adiabatic and vertical ionization potentials, adiabatic electron affinities, and binding energies are in reasonable agreement with experimental data, as well as with other theoretical results.

A density functional study of small copper clusters: Cun (n⩽5)

This paper presents dipole moments, static polarizabilities, first hyperpolarizabilities and second hyperpolarizabilities calculated in the framework of density functional theory. All calculations have been performed using a finite field approach implemented in our new density functional theory program ALLCHEM. The calculations were of all-electron type. Both local and gradient-corrected functionals have been used. The influence of first- and second-order field-induced polarization functions, the external field strength, the numerical integration technique and the exchange-correlation functionals on the calculation of polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities is discussed in detail. A systematic study including 23 small and medium size molecules demonstrates that the obtained polarizabilities as well as the first and second hyperpolarizabilities are in good qualitative agreement with experimental data. The described density functional method provides polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities considerably better than the Hartree–Fock method and almost as accurate as much more expensive correlation treatments. This work demonstrates that reliable predictions of electro-optical properties for molecules with 20 and more atoms are possible using an efficient implementation of density functional theory.

Patrizia Calaminici

Papers

Density functional theory optimized basis sets for gradient corrected functionals: 3d transition metal systems.

Structure and stability of small copper clusters

A density functional study of small copper clusters: Cun (n⩽5)

Density functional calculations of molecular polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities

Calculation of macroscopic linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities for the naphthalene, anthracene and meta-nitroaniline crystals