Calculation of DFT-GIAO NMR shifts with the inclusion of spin-orbit coupling

Abstract

A formulation for the calculation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shielding tensors, based on density functional theory (DFT), is presented. Scalar-relativistic and spin-orbit coupling effects are taken into account, and a Fermi-contact term is included in the NMR shielding tensor expression. Gauge-including atomic orbitals (GIAO) and a frozen-core approximation are used. This formulation has been implemented, and H1 and C13 NMR shifts of hydrogen and methyl halides have been calculated and show good agreement with experiment. C13 NMR shifts of 5d transition metal carbonyls have been calculated and show improved agreement with experiment over previous scalar-relativistic calculations. For the metal carbonyls it is shown explicitly that the combination of spin-orbit coupling and magnetic field mixes spin triplet states into the ground state, inducing a spin density that then interacts with the nuclei of the metal carbonyl via the Fermi-contact term. Results indicate that the Fermi-contact contribution to the C13 NMR of the metal carbonyl ions increases with increasing oxidation state of the ion. It is reasoned that as the oxidation state increases, π back bonding decreases and σ bonding increases, within the metal–carbon bond, thus facilitating a greater transfer of spin density from the metal to the carbon nucleus, and thus increasing the Fermi-contact contribution to the NMR shielding of the carbon.