Atoms in molecules

Density functional theory (DFT) is a (in principle exact) theory of electronic structure, based on the electron density distribution n(r), instead of the many-electron wave function Ψ(r1,r2,r3,...). Having been widely used for over 30 years by physicists working on the electronic structure of solids, surfaces, defects, etc., it has more recently also become popular with theoretical and computational chemists. The present article is directed at the chemical community. It aims to convey the basic concepts and breadth of applications:  the current status and trends of approximation methods (local density and generalized gradient approximations, hybrid methods) and the new light which DFT has been shedding on important concepts like electronegativity, hardness, and chemical reactivity index.

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Density Functional Theory of Electronic Structure

We propose a simple scheme for decomposition of molecular functions into single‐center components The problem of three‐dimensional integration in molecular systems thus reduces to a sum of one‐center, atomic‐like integrations which are treated using standard numerical techniques in spherical polar coordinates The resulting method is tested on representative diatomic and polyatomic systems for which we obtain five‐ or six‐figure accuracy using a few thousand integration points per atom

A multicenter numerical integration scheme for polyatomic molecules

This article describes an algorithm for the calculation of the average properties of an atom in a molecule. The atom is defined within the topological theory of molecular structure, a theory which defines atoms, bonds, structure, and structural stability in terms of the topological properties of a system's charge distribution. The average properties of the atom so defined are uniquely determined by quantum mechanics. Results for a number of hydrocarbon molecules, obtained by the program PROAIM (properties of atoms in molecules) which implements this algorithm, are given. In general, this program enables one to calculate the average energy of an atom in a molecule to an accuracy of ±1 kcal/mol.

Calculation of the average properties of atoms in molecules. II

The theory of molecular structure determined by the gradient vector field of the charge density ρ identifies the set of atomic interactions present in a molecule. The interactions so defined are characterized in terms of the properties of the Laplacian of the charge density ∇2ρ(r). A scalar field is concentrated in those regions of space where its Laplacian is negative and depleted in those where it is positive. An expression derived from the quantum mechanical stress tensor relates the sign of the Laplacian of ρ to the relative magnitudes of the local contributions of the potential and kinetic energy densities to their virial theorem averages. By obtaining a map of those regions where ∇2ρ(r) 0. The mechanics are characterized by the relatively large value of the kinetic energy, particularly the component parallel to the interaction line. In the closed‐shell interactions, the regions of dominant potential energy contributions are separately localized within the boundaries of each of the interacting atoms or molecules. In the shared interactions, a region of low potential energy is contiguous over the basins of both of the interacting atoms. The problem of further classifying a given interaction as belonging to a bound or unbound state of a system is also considered, first from the electrostatic point of view wherein the regions of charge concentration as determined by the Laplacian of ρ are related to the forces acting on the nuclei. This is followed by and linked to a discussion of the energetics of interactions in terms of the regions of dominant potential and kinetic energy contributions to the virial as again determined by the Laplacian of ρ. The properties of the Laplacian of the electronic charge thus yield a unified view of atomic interactions, one which incorporates the understandings afforded by both the Hellmann–Feynman and virial theorems.

The characterization of atomic interactions

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the quantum mechanical definition of the average properties of an atom. It is demonstrated that the topological property that defines the atom determines the definition of its average properties. It reviews only the basic topological properties of a charge distribution in this chapter. Their role in the definition of molecular structure and its change has been recently reviewed in detail. A bound atom is an example of an open quantum system. A quantum description of subsystems must be developed, free to exchange charge and momentum with their environment across boundaries that are defined in real space and that in general change with time. The chapter also reviews that the quantum mechanics has been shown to account for the properties of isolated atoms and for the total properties of a molecular system. The increased understanding that would result from the discovery of a firm theoretical basis for Dalton's theory has not been obtained because of a lack of a quantum definition of an atom in a molecule.

T.T. Nguyen-Dang

Papers

Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules–Dalton Revisited