A Comparison of Medium-Sized Basis Sets for the Prediction of Geometries, Vibrational Frequencies, Infrared Intensities and Raman Activities for Water

Abstract

Optimized geometries, vibrational frequencies, as well as infrared intensities and Raman activities were calculated for water (H2O) utilizing popular quantum mechanical approaches. Here, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed using the B3LYP (Becke, three-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr) functional, as well as ab initio calculations using second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation theory and coupled-cluster with single, double and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] levels of theory were used. We assess and benchmark the performance of 69 different atomic orbital basis sets including various popular families of medium-sized basis sets typically of two to four zeta quality and differing levels of augmentation by polar and diffuse functions. The basis sets range from the commonly adopted Pople-style (6-31G & 6-311G), Dunning’s correlation consistent (cc-pV(n+d)Z & aug-cc-pV(n+d)Z, as well as Truhlar’s calendar variations, Jensen’s polarization consistent (pc-n & aug-pc-n), Ahlrichs (def2-…), Sapporo’s and Karlsruches as well as atomic natural orbitals (ANOs) such as NASA Ames (ANOn), Neese-style, and Roos-style. We also compare several basis sets specifically designed to calculate vibrational and electronic properties, including the Sadlej-pVTZ (and LPol-X families), as well as SNS families of Barone. The results are compared to experimental values where available, or calculations performed with 5 or 6 zeta-level (e.g., cc-pV6Z). The performance of each family of basis sets is discussed in terms of their accuracy (and pitfalls), as well as computational resource scaling and efficiency. The Def2 basis family performs very well overall, yielding more accurate results with lower runtimes than traditional basis sets. ‘May’ basis sets also provide accurate predictions of vibrational frequencies at significantly lower costs. Raman activities can be accurately calculated using MP2 under harmonic approximation with several ‘spectroscopic’ families performing well.