Ab Initio Calculations of NMR Parameters for Diatomic Molecules. An Exercise in Computational Chemistry

Abstract

Many scientists seem to be unaware of the relatively simple relationship between nuclear spin-rotation tensors, C, and nuclear magnetic shielding tensors, σ, in linear molecules. The availability of accurate spin-rotation data from high-resolution microwave spectra or molecular beam experiments allows for meaningful comparison between nuclear magnetic shieldings derived from these experimental values and values determined from ab initio calculations, because both results are for isolated molecules. Presented here is an undergraduate-graduate-level exercise in the computational quantum chemistry of NMR parameters for a series of fluorine-containing diatomic molecules for which experimental spin-rotation data are available. Calculations carried out at the RHF/6-311++G(2d,2p) level demonstrate the relationship between Ramsey's paramagnetic term, σP, and C. In addition, electric field gradient calculations at this level of theory for Li, Na, K, and Cl in their fluorides qualitatively reproduce experimental ...