Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction Research Articles

Reconciling Accuracy and Feasibility for Barrierless Reaction Steps by the PCS/DDCI/MC-PDFT Protocol: Methane and Ethylene Dissociations as Case Studies.

Several enhancements have been introduced into state-of-the-art computational protocols for the treatment of barrierless reaction steps in the framework of variable reaction coordinate variational transition state theory. The first step is the synergistic integration of the Iterative Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction (I-DDCI) and Pisa Composite Scheme, which defines a reduced cost, yet very accurate, computational workflow. This approach provides a near black box tool for obtaining 1D reference potentials. Then, a general strategy has been devised for tuning the level of theory used in Monte Carlo (MC) sampling, employing Multiconfiguration Pair Density Functional Theory (MC-PDFT) with dynamically adjusted Hartree-Fock exchange. Concurrently, partial geometry optimizations during the MC simulations account for the coupling between the reaction coordinates and conserved modes. The protocol closely approaches full size consistency and yields highly accurate results, with several test computations suggesting rapid convergence of the I-DDCI correction with the basis set dimensions. The capabilities of the new platform are illustrated by two case studies (the hydrogen dissociation from CH4 and C2H4), which highlight its flexibility in handling different carbon hybridizations (sp3 and sp2). The remarkable accuracy of the computed rate constants confirms the robustness of the proposed method. Together with their intrinsic interest, these results pave the way for systematic investigations of complex gas-phase reactions through a reliable, user-friendly tool accessible to specialists and nonspecialists alike.

Magneto-Structural Analysis of Hydroxido-Bridged CuII2 Complexes: Density Functional Theory and Other Treatments

A selection of dimeric Cu(II) complexes with bidentate N,N′ ligands with the general formula [Cu(L)(X)(μ-OH)]2·nH2O and [Cu(L)(μ-OH)]2X2·nH2O were magneto-structurally analyzed using the Density Functional Theory (DFT). A Broken Symmetry-Density Functional Theory (BS-DFT) study was undertaken for these complexes with relevant decomposition schemes that gave insight into the effect of the nature of the ligand and coordination environment on the DFT-predicted coupling constants (J). The impact of the spin population, which correlates well with the Cu-O-Cu bridging angles and the calculated coupling constant (J) values, was studied. The models were further refined using a complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) while expanding the active space from 2 orbitals 2 electrons (2,2) to 10 orbitals 18 electrons (18,10). These models were approximated using multireference methods (n-electron valence state perturbation theory and difference dedicated configuration interaction), and a better approximation of J values was found as expected. Orbitals involved in the superexchange pathway were also visualized.

Modifications of Tanabe-Sugano d6 Diagram Induced by Radical Ligand Field: Ab Initio Inspection of a Fe(II)-Verdazyl Molecular Complex.

Quantum entanglement between the spin states of a metal center and radical ligands is suggested in an iron(II) [Fe(dipyvd)2]2+ compound (dipyvd = 1-isopropyl-3,5-dipyridil-6-oxoverdazyl). Wave function ab initio (Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction, DDCI) inspections were carried out to stress the versatility of local spin states. We named this phenomenon excited state spinmerism, in reference to our previous work (see Roseiro et al., ChemPhysChem 2022, e202200478) where we introduced the concept of spinmerism as an extension of mesomerism to spin degrees of freedom. The construction of localized molecular orbitals allows for a reading of the wave functions and projections onto the local spin states. The low-energy spectrum is well-depicted by a Heisenberg picture. A 60 cm-1 ferromagnetic interaction is calculated between the radical ligands with the Stotal = 0 and 1 states largely dominated by a local low-spin SFe = 0. In contrast, the higher-lying Stotal = 2 states are superpositions of the local SFe = 1 (17%, 62%) and SFe = 2 (72%, 21%) spin states. Such mixing extends the traditional picture of a high-field d6 Tanabe-Sugano diagram. Even in the absence of spin-orbit coupling, the avoided crossing between different local spin states is triggered by the field generated by radical ligands. This puzzling scenario emerges from versatile local spin states in compounds which extend the traditional views in molecular magnetism.

Magnetic exchange coupling in Cu dimers studied with modern multireference methods and broken-symmetry coupled cluster theory

Spin-state energetics of exchange-coupled copper complexes pose a persistent challenge for applied quantum chemistry. Here, we provide a comprehensive comparison of all available theoretical approaches to the problem of exchange coupling in two antiferromagnetically coupled bis-μ-hydroxo Cu(II) dimers. The evaluated methods include multireference methods based on the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG), multireference methods that incorporate dynamic electron correlation either perturbatively, such as the N-electron valence state perturbation theory, or variationally, such as the difference-dedicated configuration interaction. In addition, we contrast the multireference results with those obtained using broken-symmetry approaches that utilize either density functional theory or, as demonstrated here for the first time in such systems, a local implementation of coupled cluster theory. The results show that the spin-state energetics of these copper dimers are dominated by dynamic electron correlation and represent an impossible challenge for multireference methods that rely on brute-force expansion of the active space to recover correlation energy. Therefore, DMRG-based methods even at the limit of their applicability cannot describe quantitatively the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling in these dimers, in contrast to dinuclear complexes of earlier transition metal ions. The convergence of the broken-symmetry coupled cluster approach is studied and shown to be a limiting factor for the practical application of the method. The advantages and disadvantages of all approaches are discussed, and recommendations are made for future developments.

Model protein excited states: MRCI calculations with large active spaces vs CC2 method.

Benchmarking calculations on excited states of models of phenylalanine protein chains are presented to assess the ability of alternative methods to the standard and most commonly used multiconfigurational wave function-based method, the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF), in recovering the non-dynamical correlation for systems that become not affordable by the CASSCF. The exploration of larger active spaces beyond the CASSCF limit is benchmarked through three strategies based on the reduction in the number of determinants: the restricted active space self-consistent field, the generalized active space self-consistent field (GASSCF), and the occupation-restricted multiple active space (ORMAS) schemes. The remaining dynamic correlation effects are then added by the complete active space second-order perturbation theory and by the multireference difference dedicated configuration interaction methods. In parallel, the approximate second-order coupled cluster (CC2), already proven to be successful for small building blocks of model proteins in one of our previous works [Ben Amor et al., J. Chem. Phys. 148, 184105 (2018)], is investigated to assess its performances for larger systems. Among the different alternative strategies to CASSCF, our results highlight the greatest efficiency of the GASSCF and ORMAS schemes in the systematic reduction of the configuration interaction expansion without loss of accuracy in both nature and excitation energies of both singlet ππ* and nπ* CO excited states with respect to the equivalent CASSCF calculations. Guidelines for an optimum applicability of this scheme to systems requiring active spaces beyond the complete active space limit are then proposed. Finally, the extension of the CC2 method to such large systems without loss of accuracy is demonstrated, highlighting the great potential of this method to treat accurately excited states, mainly single reference, of very large systems.

Magnetostructural relationships in [Ni(dmit)2]- radical anions.

This work explores the relationship between the magnetic properties of salts based on [Ni(dmit)2]- radicals and different arrangements that these radicals can adopt in the crystals, induced by the packing constrains imposed by the counterions. Our analysis is based on difference dedicated configuration interaction calculations on models containing two neighbouring [Ni(dmit)2]- units with different interaction patterns. The amplitude and sign of these through-space interactions can be rationalized on the basis of a valence-only model that essentially analyzes the effective interactions between the atoms carrying the electronic density of singly occupied orbitals (SOMOs). Despite the simplicity of the model, it provides simple rules to predict the nature and the expected amplitude (strong/medium/weak) of the leading interactions in systems based on these [Ni(dmit)2]- radicals.

Evaluation of the electronic structure and charge transfer in the Cu2O22+ core using multiconfigurational methods

The energy profile and electronic structure in the [Cu2O2]2+ core have been studied through the peroxo to bis-μ-oxo isomerization process, using multiconfigurational methods. Different strategies were performed to obtain the absolute energies of the singlet ground state using the accuracy potential of the Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction (DDCI) method. For each structure, the DDCI energies for the ground states were obtained. The results indicate that the minimum bis-μ-oxo is approximately 8 kcal/mol more stable than the peroxo. The analysis of the electronic structure of the peroxo and bis-μ-oxo forms reveals the existence of different extents of charge transfer between the O2 molecule and the Cu, leading to different oxidation states in the Cu and O2 molecule.

Low-lying excited states of model proteins: Performances of the CC2 method versus multireference methods.

A benchmark set of relevant geometries of a model protein, the N-acetylphenylalanylamide, is presented to assess the validity of the approximate second-order coupled cluster (CC2) method in studying low-lying excited states of such bio-relevant systems. The studies comprise investigations of basis-set dependence as well as comparison with two multireference methods, the multistate complete active space 2nd order perturbation theory (MS-CASPT2) and the multireference difference dedicated configuration interaction (DDCI) methods. First of all, the applicability and the accuracy of the quasi-linear multireference difference dedicated configuration interaction method have been demonstrated on bio-relevant systems by comparison with the results obtained by the standard MS-CASPT2. Second, both the nature and excitation energy of the first low-lying excited state obtained at the CC2 level are very close to the Davidson corrected CAS+DDCI ones, the mean absolute deviation on the excitation energy being equal to 0.1 eV with a maximum of less than 0.2 eV. Finally, for the following low-lying excited states, if the nature is always well reproduced at the CC2 level, the differences on excitation energies become more important and can depend on the geometry.

Evaluation of the Magnetic Interactions in Salts Containing [Ni(dmit)2]− Radical Anions

This paper reports on a theoretical analysis of the electronic structure and magnetic properties of the [Ni(dmit)2]− radical anions in four salt compounds resulting from the combination with supramolecular cation–crown ether assemblies. The selected compounds are representative examples of the diversity of stacking patterns and magnetic behaviors found for systems based on these [Ni(dmit)2]− anions. Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction calculations have been performed on fragments containing two neighbor [Ni(dmit)2]− units to evaluate the intradimer, interdimer, and interchain magnetic coupling constants and analyze the electronic structure of the [Ni(dmit)2]− ions. The amplitude and sign of these through-space interactions are consistent with the structure and arrangement of the [Ni(dmit)2] monomers in the chain and the overlap and transfer integral between the magnetic orbitals. They accurately simulate the thermal dependence of the magnetic susceptibility but do not agree with the reported J ...

Magnetic gaps in organic tri-radicals: From a simple model to accurate estimates.

The calculation of the energy gap between the magnetic states of organic poly-radicals still represents a challenging playground for quantum chemistry, and high-level techniques are required to obtain accurate estimates. On these grounds, the aim of the present study is twofold. From the one side, it shows that, thanks to recent algorithmic and technical improvements, we are able to compute reliable quantum mechanical results for the systems of current fundamental and technological interest. From the other side, proper parameterization of a simple Hubbard Hamiltonian allows for a sound rationalization of magnetic gaps in terms of basic physical effects, unraveling the role played by electron delocalization, Coulomb repulsion, and effective exchange in tuning the magnetic character of the ground state. As case studies, we have chosen three prototypical organic tri-radicals, namely, 1,3,5-trimethylenebenzene, 1,3,5-tridehydrobenzene, and 1,2,3-tridehydrobenzene, which differ either for geometric or electronic structure. After discussing the differences among the three species and their consequences on the magnetic properties in terms of the simple model mentioned above, accurate and reliable values for the energy gap between the lowest quartet and doublet states are computed by means of the so-called difference dedicated configuration interaction (DDCI) technique, and the final results are discussed and compared to both available experimental and computational estimates.

Metal-Metal Interactions in Trinuclear Copper(II) Complexes [Cu3(RCOO)4(H2TEA)2] and Binuclear [Cu2(RCOO)2(H2TEA)2]. Syntheses and Combined Structural, Magnetic, High-Field Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, and Theoretical Studies.

The trinuclear [Cu3(RCOO)4(H2TEA)2] copper(II) complexes, where RCOO(-) = 2-furoate (1), 2-methoxybenzoate (2), and 3-methoxybenzoate (3, 4), as well as dimeric species [Cu2(H2TEA)2(RCOO)2]·2H2O, have been prepared by adding triethanolamine (H3TEA) at ambient conditions to hydrated Cu(RCOO)2 salts. The newly synthesized complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopic techniques (IR and UV-visible), magnetic susceptibility, single crystal X-ray structure determination and theoretical calculations, using a Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction approach for the evaluation of magnetic coupling constants. In 1 and 2, the central copper atom lies on an inversion center, while in the polymorphs 3 and 4, the three metal centers are crystallographically independent. The zero-field splitting parameters of the trimeric compounds, D and E, were derived from high-field, high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectra at temperatures ranging from 3 to 290 K and were used for the interpretation of the magnetic data. It was found that the dominant interaction between the terminal and central Cu sites J12 is ferromagnetic in nature in all complexes, even though differences have been found between the symmetrical or quasi-symmetrical complexes 1-3 and non-symmetrical complex 4, while the interaction between the terminal centers, J23, is negligible.

Accuracy of Embedded Fragment Calculation for Evaluating Electron Interactions in Mixed Valence Magnetic Systems: Study of 2e-Reduced Lindqvist Polyoxometalates

Accurate quantum chemical calculations on real-world magnetic systems are challenging, the inclusion of electron correlation being the bottleneck of such task. One method proposed to overcome this difficulty is the embedded fragment approach. It tackles a chemical problem by dividing it into small fragments, which are treated in a highly accurate way, surrounded by an embedding included at an approximate level. For the vast family of medium-to-large sized polyoxometalates, two-electron-reduced systems are habitual and their magnetic properties are interesting. In this paper, we aim at assessing the quality of embedded fragment calculations by checking their ability to reproduce the electronic spectra of a complete system, here the mixed-metal series [MoxW6-xO19](4-) (x = 0-6). The microscopic parameters extracted from fragment calculations (electron hopping, intersite electrostatic repulsion, local orbital energy, etc.) have been used to reproduce the spectra through model Hamiltonian calculations. These energies are compared to the results of the highly accurate ab initio difference dedicated configuration interaction (DDCI) method on the complete system. In general, the model Hamiltonian calculations using parameters extracted from embedded fragments nearly exactly reproduce the DDCI spectra. This is quite an important result since it can be generalized to any inorganic magnetic system. Finally, the occurrence of singlet or triplet ground states in the series of molecules studied is rationalized upon the interplay of the parameters extracted.

Analysis of the Magnetic Exchange Interaction in Halide-Bridged Cu(II) Binuclear Complexes: Deciphering the Paths

Following a recently reported synthesis of linearly halide-bridged Cu(II) complexes [Inorg. Chem. 2012, 51, 7966-7968] characterized by strong antiferromagnetic exchange couplings (J), we applied Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction (DDCI) and Broken-Symmetry Density Functional Theory (BS-DFT) approaches in order to analyze theoretically the trend observed, in which the decreasing electronegativity of the central halide induces an exacerbed magnetic coupling. The importance of the magnetic orbitals in DDCI calculations is acknowledged. The use of reduced molecular models is shown to lead to significant differences in J, in the case of chloride and bromide bridges. Finally, the BS-DFT decomposition of J in its main physical contributions confirms the importance of the kinetic exchange mediated by the halide bridge, but also points towards an increasing core polarization contribution when going from fluoride to bromide. Keywords: Broken-Symmetry DFT, Difference Dedicated CI, Magnetic exchange coupling.

Switching magnetic interactions in the NiFe Prussian Blue Analogue: an ab initio inspection.

The magnetic interaction in the Ni(ii)-Fe(iii) Prussian Blue Analogue is investigated by means of Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction (DDCI) calculations. Embedded cluster calculations are performed to extract the exchange coupling constant J with respect to an opening of the Ni-NC-Fe bridge while maintaining a rigid Fe(CN)6 unit. It is shown that such active distortion significantly modifies the magnetic interaction scheme in the material. Not only a ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition is observed, but the J value is varied from +11.4 cm(-1) to -12.5 cm(-1) when the Ni-Fe cyanide bridge is opened by 20°. The enhancement of the intersite hopping electron transfer integral by a factor of 1.5 can be correlated with the observed Na(+)-ion mobility in a unified "cation-coupled electron transfer" (CCET) process. These results stress the complexity and originality of this class of compounds evidenced by the versatility of their magnetic network.

The Triplet-Singlet Gap in the m-Xylylene Radical: A Not So Simple One.

Meta-benzoquinodimethane (MBQDM) or m-xylylene provides a model for larger organic diradicals, the triplet-singlet gap being the key property. In the present work this energy difference has been the object of a systematic study by means of several density functional theory-based methods including B3LYP, M06, M06-2X, HSE and LC-ωPBE potentials and a variety of wave function-based methods such as complete active space self consistent field (CASSCF), Multireference second-order Møller-Plesset (MRMP), difference dedicated configuration interaction (DDCI), and Multireference configuration interaction (MRCI). In each case various basis sets of increasing quality have been explored, and the effect of the molecular geometry is also analyzed. The use of the triplet and broken symmetry (BS) solutions for the corresponding optimized geometries obtained from B3LYP and especially M06-2X functionals provide the value of the adiabatic triplet-singlet gap closer to experiment when compared to the reported value of Wenthold, Kim, and Lineberger, (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 1354) and also for the electron affinity. The agreement further improves using the full π-valence CASSCF(8,8) optimized geometry as an attempt to correct for the spin contamination effects on the geometry of the BS state. The CASSCF, MRMP, and MRCI, even with the full π valence CAS(8,8) as reference and relatively large basis set, systematically overestimate the experimental value indicating either that an accurate description must go beyond this level of theory, including σ electrons and higher order polarization functions, or perhaps that the measured value is affected by the experimental conditions.

Impact of short and long-range effects on the magnetic interactions in neutral organic radical-based materials

The mutual influence of electronic structure and environment of the constituent units of neutral organic radical-based materials (radical dimers) is analysed by means of wave function calculations (Difference Dedicated Configuration Interaction, DDCI). Focus is put on the magnetic property modulations of two classes of neutral organic materials by inspecting both short- and long-range effects. The exchange coupling constant J for the high-temperature phase of the 1,3,5-trithia-2,4,6-triazapentalenyl (TTTA) material is calculated to be J= -95 cm(-1) at the DDCI level. The environmental electronic polarization is taken into account self-consistently using the individual polarizabilities of the atoms in a finite block of the crystal lattice (Discrete Reaction Field, DRF) and accounts for less than 5% of the calculated J value in TTTA. Furthermore, taking advantage of the chemical flexibility of the verdazyl radical family, the contribution of strong electron-withdrawing groups is analysed by extracting the J, U, t and K parameters from pairs of substituted verdazyl-based radicals. Our ab initio calculations of verdazyl radical pairs suggest that the addition of NO2 groups cause (i) the variations of the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic contributions to cancel out, leaving an almost constant exchange coupling constant, ca. J≈ 20 cm(-1), and that (ii) enhanced conduction properties can be anticipated. In contrast to inorganic analogues, one may conclude that the magnetic behaviour of neutral organic radical-based materials is mostly governed by the supramolecular arrangement, whereas environmental effects have a lesser impact.

A Strategy to Determine Appropriate Active Orbitals and Accurate Magnetic Couplings in Organic Magnetic Systems.

This work addresses the following paradox observed in diradicalar conjugated hydrocarbons: while the natural orbitals occupation numbers clearly indicate only two open-shell orbitals, i.e. two unpaired electrons, the minimal CAS zero-order description fails to reproduce accurately the electronic structures of the lowest states (spin density distribution and singlet-triplet energy gap, i.e., magnetic coupling). We will focus on the question of the optimization of both magnetic and nonmagnetic orbitals for the determination of accurate magnetic interactions in organic compounds. It is analytically demonstrated (in the Appendix) and numerically shown from multireference configuration interaction calculations performed on a series of original organic ferro- and antiferromagnetic compounds that, (i) some double excitations must be considered to obtain reliable magnetic orbitals for the calculation of magnetic couplings, (ii) the account of these excitations results in a larger spatial extent of the magnetic orbitals on the surrounding ligands and hence better drives the interaction between several magnetic centers, and (iii) the reliability of the orbitals is a crucial ingredient for the determination of accurate magnetic couplings. A strategy which optimizes the orbitals at a reasonable computational cost is proposed. It relies on a CAS(2,2) zero-order description and provides orbitals of the same quality as the CAS(full valence π)SCF orbitals. The values of the magnetic couplings computed using the difference dedicated configuration interaction on top of the CAS(2,2) references with the new orbital set are very close to those obtained at the much more computationally demanding CAS(full valence π)PT2 level of treatment.

The role of the magnetic orbitals in the calculation of the magnetic coupling constants from multireference perturbation theory methods

The use of multireference perturbation theory (MRPT) for the calculation of the magnetic coupling in binuclear complexes has shown to give poor results if applied on a minimal active space complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) wavefunction. In this work, we identify the origin of this problem in the starting CASSCF orbitals, which are exceedingly localized on the metal atoms. Focusing on the case of antiferromagnetic systems, it is shown that the form of the active orbitals has a dramatic effect on the relative description of the neutral and ionic structures. Finally, a simple and computational inexpensive strategy is proposed for the calculation of a set of magnetic orbitals describing in a more balanced way the neutral and ionic structures. The use of these orbitals, instead the CASSCF ones, in minimal active space MRPT2 calculations leads to a marked improvement of the J values, which become in reasonable agreement with those obtained with the expensive high level difference dedicated configuration interaction approach and with the experimental values.

Investigating Magnetostructural Correlations in the Pseudooctahedraltrans-[NiII{(OPPh2)(EPPh2)N}2(sol)2] Complexes (E = S, Se; sol = DMF, THF) by Magnetometry, HFEPR, and ab Initio Quantum Chemistry

In this work, magnetometry and high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (HFEPR) have been employed in order to determine the spin Hamiltonian (SH) parameters of the non-Kramers, S = 1, pseudooctahedral trans-[Ni(II){(OPPh(2))(EPPh(2))N}(2)(sol)(2)] (E = S, Se; sol = DMF, THF) complexes. X-ray crystallographic studies on these compounds revealed a highly anisotropic NiO(4)E(2) coordination environment, as well as subtle structural differences, owing to the nature of the Ni(II)-coordinated solvent molecule or ligand E atoms. The effects of these structural characteristics on the magnetic properties of the complexes were investigated. The accurately HFEPR-determined SH zero-field-splitting (zfs) D and E parameters, along with the structural data, provided the basis for a systematic density functional theory (DFT) and multiconfigurational ab initio computational analysis, aimed at further elucidating the electronic structure of the complexes. DFT methods yielded only qualitatively useful data. However, already entry level ab initio methods yielded good results for the investigated magnetic properties, provided that the property calculations are taken beyond a second-order treatment of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) interaction. This was achieved by quasi-degenerate perturbation theory, in conjunction with state-averaged complete active space self-consistent-field calculations. The accuracy in the calculated D parameters improves upon recovering dynamic correlation with multiconfigurational ab initio methods, such as the second-order N-electron valence perturbation theory NEVPT2, the difference dedicated configuration interaction, and the spectroscopy-oriented configuration interaction. The calculations showed that the magnitude of D (∼3-7 cm(-1)) in these complexes is mainly dominated by multiple SOC contributions, the origin of which was analyzed in detail. In addition, the observed largely rhombic regime (E/D = 0.16-0.33) is attributed to the highly distorted metal coordination sphere. Of special importance is the insight by this work on the zfs effects of Se coordination to Ni(II). Overall, a combined experimental and theoretical methodology is provided, as a means to probe the electronic structure of octahedral Ni(II) complexes.

The role of macrocyclic ligands in the peroxo/superoxo nature of Ni–O2 biomimetic complexes

The impact of the macrocyclic ligand on the electronic structure of two LNi-O2 biomimetic adducts, [Ni(12-TMC)O2](+) (12-TMC = 1,4,7,10-tetramethyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) and [Ni(14-TMC)O2](+) (14-TMC = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), has been inspected by means of difference-dedicated configuration interaction calculations and a valence bond reading of the wavefunction. The system containing the 12-membered macrocyclic ligand has been experimentally described as a side-on nickel(III)-peroxo complex, whereas the 14-membered one has been characterized as an end-on nickel(II)-superoxide. Our results put in evidence the relationship between the steric effect of the macrocyclic ligand, the O2 coordination mode and the charge transfer extent between the Ni center and the O2 molecule. The 12-membered macrocyclic ligand favors a side-on coordination, a most efficient overlap between Ni 3d and O2 π* orbitals and, consequently, a larger charge transfer from LNi fragment to O2 molecule. The analysis of the ground-state electronic structure shows an enhancement of the peroxide nature of the Ni-O2 interaction for [Ni(12-TMC)O2](+), although a dominant superoxide character is found for both systems.