Focal Point Approach Research Articles

Comparative Study of Neutral and Cationic Sn2H2: Toward Laboratory Detection of the Cation.

Group 14 M2H2 isomers (M = Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb) have attracted interest due to their radically differing electronic structures from acetylene. To better understand the Sn-H interactions of the neutral and cationic Sn2H2 structures, we present the most rigorous study of these systems to date. CCSD(T)/cc-pwCVTZ harmonic frequencies are presented as the first predictions for the neutral and cationic species to date. CCSDT(Q)/CBS relative energies are reported using the focal point approach, confirming the butterfly isomer as the global minimum on the potential energy surface for both the neutral and cationic species. In all, there exist 7 minima and 15 transition states. NBO analysis is also performed to elucidate the changes in bond order going from neutral to cation across all isomers of Sn2H2. Our results provide insights into the important Sn-H interaction and provide guidance for future work that may detect in the laboratory for the first time.

Pb2H2 +: convergent quantum mechanical study of seven lead hydride cation structures. Toward laboratory identification

ABSTRACT Lead is heavily utilised in industry, but it bears potential harm due to its toxic nature. Identifying lead is important in diagnosing and preventing lead poisoning. Hydride generation via inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HG-ICP-MS) can detect small amounts of lead with high accuracy. Here we investigate seven structures of Pb 2 H 2 + . The geometries of each structure were optimised using coupled cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] method with the cc-pwCVQZ-PP basis set for lead and the cc-pVQZ basis set for hydrogen. Likewise, harmonic vibrational frequencies were obtained using the same method. Anharmonic frequencies were determined using CCSD(T) with cc-pwCVTZ-PP and cc-pVTZ basis sets for lead and hydrogen, respectively. The focal point approach (FPA), including CCSDT and CCSDT(Q) computations, was applied to the seven structures to find the relative energies with respect to the global minimum butterfly structure. Relative to the global minimum butterfly structure, the energies for the planar transition state, monobridged, vinylidene-like, trans, cis, and linear structures are: 1.1, 18.3, 26.5, 27.8, 28.8, and 93.7 kcal mol − 1 , respectively. Natural bond orders and dipole moments are reported as well. The predicted vibrational frequencies should be helpful in guiding the laboratory observation of Pb 2 H 2 + .

Exploring the Tl H potential energy surface: A comparative analysis with group 13 systems and experiment.

Thallium chemistry is experiencing unprecedented importance. Therefore, it is valuable to characterize some of the simplest thallium compounds. Stationary points along the singlet and triplet Tl H potential energy surface have been characterized. Stationary point geometries were optimized with the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pwCVQZ-PP method. Harmonic vibrational frequencies were computed at the same level of theory while anharmonic vibrational frequencies were computed at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pwCVTZ-PP level of theory. Final energetics were obtained with the CCSDT(Q) method. Basis sets up to augmented quintuple-zeta cardinality (aug-cc-pwCV5Z-PP) were employed to obtain energetics in order to extrapolate to the complete basis set limits using the focal point approach. Zero-point vibrational energy corrections were appended to the extrapolated energies in order to determine relative energies at 0 K. It was found that the planar dibridged isomer lies lowest in energy while the linear structure lies highest in energy. The results were compared to other group 13 M H (M = B, Al, Ga, In, and Tl) theoretical studies and some interesting variations are found. With respect to experiment, incompatibilities exist.

Scale-free-modeling (harmonic) vibrational frequencies: Assessing accuracy and cost-effectiveness by CBS extrapolation.

Empirical scaling of calculated vibrational harmonic frequencies is a popular approach used in the field of molecular sciences. A nonempirical scheme that aims at reducing their basis set error is suggested here. Nearly as cost-effective as the scaled Kohn-Sham density functional theory (KS DFT), it consists of splitting the frequencies into Hartree-Fock and electron correlation contributions, followed by their extrapolation to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. Since the former converges exponentially, the overall cost may actually equal that of CBS extrapolation of the correlation part. Despite shifts in the molecular geometry during vibration, reasons are advanced to justify the approach, with extrapolation from the first two steps of the basis set ladder being effective in accelerating convergence. As benchmark data, a set of harmonic frequencies and zero-point energies for 15 molecules is employed at the second-order Moller-Plesset and coupled-cluster single double triple [CCSD(T)] levels of theory. The results outperform the optimized KS DFT scaled values. As a second test set, equilibrium structures and harmonic frequencies were computed for H2O2, CH2NH, C2H2O, and the trans-isomer of 1,2-C2H2F2. The results are also encouraging, particularly when improved for excess correlation at the CCSD(T)/VDZ level via the focal-point approach. In extreme cases, CBS extrapolation is done from two double-ζ calculations: one canonical and the other using explicit correlation theory. As a further case study, benzene is considered. While the CCSD(T) results show the smallest deviation from the best estimates, the MP2 results also attain good quality: When improved for excess correlation, they show 6-10cm-1 errors relative to the best data, only slightly outperformed at the CCSD(T)/CBS level. Tentative results for the fundamental frequencies are also presented.

Toward the Observation of the Tin and Lead Analogs of Formaldehyde

Heavy aldehyde and ketone analogues, R2X═O (X = Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb), differ from their R2C═O counterparts due to their greater tendency to oligeramize as the X═O bond polarity increases as one goes down the periodic table. To date, H2Sn═O and H2Pb═O have eluded experimental detection. Herein we present the most rigorous theoretical study to date on these structures, providing CCSD(T)/pwCVTZ fundamental frequencies computed on CCSD(T)/CBS optimized structures for the H2X═O (X = Sn, Pb) potential energy surface. The focal point approach is employed to produce the CCSDTQ/CBS relative energies. For the Sn and Pb structures, the carbene-like cis-HXOH was the global minima, with the trans species being less than 0.6 and 1.1 kcal mol-1 above the cis structures, respectively. The formaldehyde-like H2X═O structure is in an energy well of at least 34.8 and 25.4 kcal mol-1 for Sn and Pb, respectively. Our results provide guidance for future work that may detect H2Sn═O or H2Pb═O for the first time.

The noncovalent interaction between water and the 3P ground state of the oxygen atom*

ABSTRACT The reaction between two OH radicals has been studied in the context of combustion chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and astrochemistry. The global minimum on the triplet reaction surface is the van der Waals complex between water and O( 3 P) atom. We optimised the geometry of the system using ab initio methods up to CCSDT/aug-cc-pVQZ. We use the focal point approach to determine an accurate dissociation energy of 1.35 kcal mol − 1 for the complex dissociating into water and O( 3 P). We also predict the anharmonic vibrational frequencies of the complex in anticipation of future experiments aimed at detecting this system.

Substituent Effects on Aluminyl Anions and Derived Systems: A High-Level Theory.

Aluminyl anions are low-valent aluminum species bearing a lone pair of electrons and a negative charge. These systems have drawn recent synthetic interest for their nucleophilic nature, allowing for the activation of σ-bonds, and have been proposed as a pathway to hydrogen energy storage. In this research, we provide high-level ab initio geometries and energies for both the simplest aluminyl anion (AlH2-) and several substituted derivatives. Geometries are reported using the gold-standard CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV(T+d)Z level of theory. Energies were extrapolated to the complete basis set limit through the focal point approach, utilizing coupled-cluster methods through perturbative quadruples and basis sets up to five-ζ quality. Geometries were rationalized using electrostatic, steric, and orbital donation effects. The donation from substituents to Al is accompanied by back-donation effects, a property traditionally thought of in transition-metal systems. Stereoelectronic effects through the secondary orbital interaction play a fundamental role in stabilizing these low-valent aluminum compounds and would likely also affect the feasibility of their use within several industrial applications. The energetic analysis of the formation of each substituted anion is rationalized as the result of three energetic schemes. The effectiveness of these schemes for determining the relative formation energies is discussed.

The isomerisation of H2XY to HXYH (X, Y = O, S, and Se)*

Oxywater(HOO) is an intermediate in the oxidation of hydrogen peroxide (HOOH), and along with its relatives HSS and HSeSe, plays an important role in atmospheric and biochemical processes. In this research, we study the isomerisation of HXY species to HXYH (X, Y = O, S, Se) using ab initio methods. Geometries and harmonic frequencies were obtained using both a scalar relativistic X2C-1e-CCSD(T) approach and non-relativistic CCSD(T) using an effective core potential on Se. A focal point approach was used to extrapolate electronic energies at CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ geometries to a CCSDT(Q)/CBS level of theory. The isomerisation reactions of HXX to HXXH have barriers of 6.6, 20.6, and 14.1 kcal mol and exothermicities of 45.8, 27.2, and 28.3 kcal mol for X=O, S, and Se, respectively. The isomerisation reactions of HOS and HSO to HOSH have barriers of 15.4 and 44.2 kcal mol and exothermicities of 36.2 and 17.7 kcal mol. The isomerisation reactions of HOSe and HSeO to HOSeH have barriers of 10.1 and 36.2 kcal mol and exothermicities of 33.5 and 31.7 kcal mol. The isomerisation reactions of HSSe and HSeS to HSSeH have barriers of 16.2 and 18.1 kcal mol and exothermicities of 23.3 and 32.1 kcal mol.

Focal-point approach with pair-specific cusp correction for coupled-cluster theory.

We present a basis set correction scheme for the coupled-cluster singles and doubles (CCSD) method. The scheme is based on employing frozen natural orbitals (FNOs) and diagrammatically decomposed contributions to the electronic correlation energy, which dominate the basis set incompleteness error (BSIE). As recently discussed in the work of Irmler et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 156401 (2019)], the BSIE of the CCSD correlation energy is dominated by the second-order Møller-Plesset (MP2) perturbation energy and the particle-particle ladder term. Here, we derive a simple approximation to the BSIE of the particle-particle ladder term that effectively corresponds to a rescaled pair-specific MP2 BSIE, where the scaling factor depends on the spatially averaged correlation hole depth of the coupled-cluster and first-order pair wavefunctions. The evaluation of the derived expressions is simple to implement in any existing code. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the method for the uniform electron gas. Furthermore, we apply the method to coupled-cluster theory calculations of atoms and molecules using FNOs. Employing the proposed correction and an increasing number of FNOs per occupied orbital, we demonstrate for a test set that rapidly convergent closed and open-shell reaction energies, atomization energies, electron affinities, and ionization potentials can be obtained. Moreover, we show that a similarly excellent trade-off between required virtual orbital basis set size and remaining BSIEs can be achieved for the perturbative triples contribution to the CCSD(T) energy employing FNOs and the (T*) approximation.

Public Administration Concern for Social Values, Can it Improve Tax Compliance? (Tax Office Studies in Indonesia)

This paper examines a public administration perspective using social value as well as nonmonetary incentives to engage SMEs and step from the research question whether they will increase voluntary tax compliance as returns. The current tax socialization is no longer just a model for submitting tax articles to raise more money, or focuses specifically on explaining why tax obligations must be paid, sanction or penalties. The mission of public institutions as educators has been adopted by Directorate General of Taxes, instilling a sense of trust between the government and society, the social value focal point approach of taxation and citizenship that aims to foster a commitment to become citizens with noble character. SMEs tend to hide from tax obligations in accordance with the character of cash transactions, do not have business licenses, do not have a fixed address, and are also difficult to trace on the national administrative data network. Their obligation to pay taxes is only 0.5% of turnover, ironically, taxation socialization events just to inform people are less enthusiastic about being attended. The Indonesian Directorate General of Taxes launched a new model of tax socialization by combining training services for business development. This study found social norms as compliant citizens were sewn into each of these events. The new model of tax outreach has been found to be a magnet for SMEs to be pulled out of places tax offices find it hard to find. So far, however, their concern for taxes as a reciprocal form of obedience to the state is still low. This indicates that the distinctive role of public administration in the form of an enforcement system from the tax office is very important. The theoretical implication of human economic behavior can lead to an infectious ego attitude without a more proportional public agency arrangement. From its practical implications, it is recommended that the Directorate General of Taxes immediately collaborate between networks of government agencies to agree on shared responsibilities with the aim of building a national tax culture.

Efficient and automated computation of accurate molecular geometries using focal-point approximations to large-basis coupled-cluster theory.

The focal-point approach, combining several quantum chemistry computations to estimate a more accurate computation at a lower expense, is effective and commonly used for energies. However, it has not yet been widely adopted for properties such as geometries. Here, we examine several focal-point methods combining Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2 and MP2.5) with coupled-cluster theory through perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] for their effectiveness in geometry optimizations using a new driver for the Psi4 electronic structure program that efficiently automates the computation of composite-energy gradients. The test set consists of 94 closed-shell molecules containing first- and/or second-row elements. The focal-point methods utilized combinations of correlation-consistent basis sets cc-pV(X+d)Z and heavy-aug-cc-pV(X+d)Z (X = D, T, Q, 5, 6). Focal-point geometries were compared to those from conventional CCSD(T) using basis sets up to heavy-aug-cc-pV5Z and to geometries from explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12 using the cc-pVXZ-F12 (X = D, T) basis sets. All results were compared to reference geometries reported by Karton et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 145, 104101 (2016)] at the CCSD(T)/heavy-aug-cc-pV6Z level of theory. In general, focal-point methods based on an estimate of the MP2 complete-basis-set limit, with a coupled-cluster correction evaluated in a (heavy-aug-)cc-pVXZ basis, are of superior quality to conventional CCSD(T)/(heavy-aug-)cc-pV(X+1)Z and sometimes approach the errors of CCSD(T)/(heavy-aug-)cc-pV(X+2)Z. However, the focal-point methods are much faster computationally. For the benzene molecule, the gradient of such a focal-point approach requires only 4.5% of the computation time of a conventional CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ gradient and only 0.4% of the time of a CCSD(T)/cc-pVQZ gradient.

Energetics and mechanisms for the acetonyl radical + O2 reaction: An important system for atmospheric and combustion chemistry.

The acetonyl radical (•CH2COCH3) is relevant to atmospheric and combustion chemistry due to its prevalence in many important reaction mechanisms. One such reaction mechanism is the decomposition of Criegee intermediates in the atmosphere that can produce acetonyl radical and OH. In order to understand the fate of the acetonyl radical in these environments and to create more accurate kinetics models, we have examined the reaction system of the acetonyl radical with O2 using highly reliable theoretical methods. Structures were optimized using coupled cluster theory with singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] with an atomic natural orbital (ANO0) basis set. Energetics were computed to chemical accuracy using the focal point approach involving perturbative treatment of quadruple excitations [CCSDT(Q)] and basis sets as large as cc-pV5Z. The addition of O2 to the acetonyl radical produces the acetonylperoxy radical, and multireference computations on this reaction suggest it to be barrierless. No submerged pathways were found for the unimolecular isomerization of the acetonylperoxy radical. Besides dissociation to reactants, the lowest energy pathway available for the acetonylperoxy radical is a 1-5 H shift from the methyl group to the peroxy group through a transition state that is 3.3 kcal mol-1 higher in energy than acetonyl radical + O2. The ultimate products from this pathway are the enol tautomer of the acetonyl radical along with O2. Multiple pathways that lead to OH formation are considered; however, all of these pathways are predicted to be energetically inaccessible, except at high temperatures.

Characterization of the 2-methylvinoxy radical + O2 reaction: A focal point analysis and composite multireference study

Vinoxy radicals are involved in numerous atmospheric and combustion mechanisms. High-level theoretical methods have recently shed new light on the reaction of the unsubstituted vinoxy radical with O2. The reactions of 1-methylvinoxy radical and 2-methylvinoxy radical with molecular oxygen have experimental high pressure limiting rate constants, k∞, 5-7 times higher than that of the vinoxy plus O2 reaction. In this work, high-level ab initio quantum chemical computations are applied to the 2-methylvinoxy radical plus O2 system, namely, the formation and isomerization of the 1-oxo-2-propylperoxy radical, the immediate product of O2 addition to the 2-methylvinoxy radical. Multireference methods were applied to the entrance channel. No barrier to O2 addition could be located, and more sophisticated treatment of dynamic electron correlation shows that the principal difference between O2 addition to the vinoxy and 2-methylvinoxy radicals is a larger steric factor for 2-methylvinoxy + O2. This is attributed to the favorable interaction between the incoming O2 molecule and the methyl group of the 2-methylvinoxy radical. Via the focal point approach, energetics for this reaction were determined, in most cases, to chemical accuracy. The coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] correlation energy and Hartree-Fock energies were independently extrapolated to the complete basis set limit. A correction for the effect of higher excitations was computed at the CCSDT(Q)/6-31G level. Corrections for the frozen-core approximation, the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, the nonrelativistic approximation, and the zero-point vibrational energy were included. From the 1-oxo-2-propylperoxy radical, dissociation to reactants is competitive with the lowest energy isomerization pathway. The lowest energy isomerization pathway ultimately forms acetaldehyde, CO, and ·OH as the final products.

High-level theoretical characterization of the vinoxy radical (•CH2CHO) + O2 reaction.

Numerous processes in atmospheric and combustion chemistry produce the vinoxy radical (•CH2CHO). To understand the fate of this radical and to provide reliable energies needed for kinetic modeling of such processes, we have examined its reaction with O2 using highly reliable theoretical methods. Utilizing the focal point approach, the energetics of this reaction and subsequent reactions were obtained using coupled-cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] extrapolated to the complete basis set limit. These extrapolated energies were appended with several corrections including a treatment of full triples and connected quadruple excitations, i.e., CCSDT(Q). In addition, this study models the initial vinoxy radical + O2 reaction for the first time with multireference methods. We predict a barrier for this reaction of approximately 0.4 kcal mol-1. This result agrees with experimental findings but is in disagreement with previous theoretical studies. The vinoxy radical + O2 reaction produces a 2-oxoethylperoxy radical which can undergo a number of unimolecular reactions. Abstraction of a β-hydrogen (a 1,4-hydrogen shift) and dissociation back to reactants are predicted to be competitive to each other due to their similar barriers of 21.2 and 22.3 kcal mol-1, respectively. The minimum-energy β-hydrogen abstraction pathway produces a hydroperoxy radical (QOOH) that eventually decomposes to formaldehyde, CO, and •OH. Two other unimolecular reactions of the peroxy radical are α-hydrogen abstraction (38.7 kcal mol-1 barrier) and HO2• elimination (43.5 kcal mol-1 barrier). These pathways lead to glyoxal + •OH and ketene + HO2• formation, respectively, but they are expected to be uncompetitive due to their high barriers.

Combining Accuracy and Efficiency: An Incremental Focal-Point Method Based on Pair Natural Orbitals.

In this work, we present a new pair natural orbitals (PNO)-based incremental scheme to calculate CCSD(T) and CCSD(T0) reaction, interaction, and binding energies. We perform an extensive analysis, which shows small incremental errors similar to previous non-PNO calculations. Furthermore, slight PNO errors are obtained by using TPNO = TTNO with appropriate values of 10-7 to 10-8 for reactions and 10-8 for interaction or binding energies. The combination with the efficient MP2 focal-point approach yields chemical accuracy relative to the complete basis-set (CBS) limit. In this method, small basis sets (cc-pVDZ, def2-TZVP) for the CCSD(T) part are sufficient in case of reactions or interactions, while some larger ones (e.g., (aug)-cc-pVTZ) are necessary for molecular clusters. For these larger basis sets, we show the very high efficiency of our scheme. We obtain not only tremendous decreases of the wall times (i.e., factors >102) due to the parallelization of the increment calculations as well as of the total times due to the application of PNOs (i.e., compared to the normal incremental scheme) but also smaller total times with respect to the standard PNO method. That way, our new method features a perfect applicability by combining an excellent accuracy with a very high efficiency as well as the accessibility to larger systems due to the separation of the full computation into several small increments.

Ethylperoxy radical: approaching spectroscopic accuracy via coupled-cluster theory.

Interest in peroxy radicals derives from their central role in tropospheric and low-temperature combustion processes; however, their transient nature limits the scope of possible experimental characterization. As a result, theoretical methods (notably, coupled-cluster theory) have become indispensable in the reliable prediction of properties of such ephemeral open-shell systems. Herein, the X[combining tilde] and à state conformers of ethylperoxy radical (C2H5O2) have been structurally optimized at the CCSD(T)/ANO2 level of theory. Relative enthalpies at 0 K [including à ← X[combining tilde] transition origins (T0)] are reported, incorporating CCSD(T) electronic energies extrapolated to the complete basis set limit via the focal point approach. Higher-level computations, employing basis sets as large as cc-pV5Z and post-HF methods up to CCSDT(Q), prove essential in achieving predictions to within 10 cm-1 for experimental T0; we predict 7363 and 7583 cm-1 for the trans and gauche conformers, respectively. Furthermore, predictions of X[combining tilde] state fundamental transitions incorporating CCSD(T)/ANO0 anharmonic contributions are given. For each conformer, all 21 modes were characterized, improving upon the 16 modes reported in the experimental literature, and providing predictions for the 5 remaining modes.

Aluminum Foils: The Contrasting Characters of Hyperconjugation and Steric Repulsion in Aluminum Dimetallocenes

The novel sandwich complex Cp2*Al2I2, which was recently synthesized by Minasian and Arnold, has been characterized using ab initio and density functional methods. A large family of related compounds was also investigated. Although a few Al(II)–Al(II) bonds are known, this is the first such bond to be supported by Cp-type ligands. In addition, in the remarkable Cp4*Al4 synthesis by Roesky, Cp2*Al2I2 is the Al(II) intermediate; Cp4*Al4 is important as a precursor to novel organoaluminum species. Halogen and ligand effects on the Al–Al bond in Cp2*Al2I2 were systematically explored by studying a series of 20 Cp2*Al2I2 derivatives using density functional theory with relativistic basis sets for the halogens. Comparison was made with the focal point treatment, which uses extrapolation to estimate the full configuration interaction and complete basis set limit energy. Torsional potential energy curves, natural population analyses, and enthalpies of hydrogenation were computed. Using the focal point approach, torsional barriers were computed with 0.05 kcal mol(–1) uncertainty. The interplay of steric and electronic effects on the torsional potential energy curves, enthalpies of dehydrogenation reactions, and geometries is discussed. In species with small ligands (R = H, Me), hyperconjugative effects determine the torsional landscape, whereas steric repulsions dominate in species with Cp* alkyl ligands. Species with Cp ligands represent an intermediate case, thus providing insight into how ligands modulate the structures and properties of small metal clusters.

The problematic C2H4+F2 reaction barrier

The C(2)H(4)+F(2) reaction is investigated through the most rigorous electronic structure methods currently feasible, using a focal point approach to converge toward the ab initio limit. Explicit computations were executed with basis sets as large as aug-cc-pV5Z and correlation treatments as extensive as coupled cluster through full triples with a perturbative inclusion of quadruple excitations [CCSDT(Q)]. Auxiliary core correlation, diagonal Born-Oppenheimer, and first-order relativistic corrections were included. All optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies were determined completely at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ level. The final C(2)H(4)+F(2) reaction barrier from theory (8.0 kcal mol(-1)) is significantly higher than the recently reported experimental barrier (5.5+/-0.5 kcal mol(-1)). Our computations also yield a new enthalpy of formation of the fluoroethyl radical, Delta(f)H(298) degrees(C(2)H(4)F)=-13.2+/-0.2 kcal mol(-1), whose uncertainty is an order of magnitude less than previous experimental values.

Barrier To Linearity and Anharmonic Force Field of the Ketenyl Radical

The troublesome barrier to linearity of the ketenyl radical (HCCO) is precisely determined using state-of-the-art computations within the focal point approach, by combining complete basis set extrapolation, utilizing the aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D, T, Q, 5, 6) family of basis sets, with electron correlation treatments as extensive as coupled cluster theory with single, double, triple, and perturbative quadruple excitations [CCSDT(Q)]. Auxiliary terms such as diagonal Born-Oppenheimer corrections (DBOCs) and relativistic contributions are included. To gain a definitive theoretical treatment and to assess the effect of higher-order correlation on the structure of HCCO, we employ a composite approximation (c approximately ) to all-electron (AE) CCSDT(Q) theory at the complete basis set (CBS) limit for geometry optimizations. A final classical barrier to linearity of 630 +/- 30 cm(-1) is obtained for reaching the (2)Pi Renner-Teller configuration of HCCO from the (2)A'' ground state. Additionally, we compute fundamental vibrational frequencies and other spectroscopic constants by application of second-order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2) to the full quartic force field at the AE-CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pCVQZ level. The resulting (nu(1), nu(2), nu(5)) fundamental frequencies of (3212, 2025, 483) cm(-1) agree satisfactorily with the experimental values (3232, 2023, 494) cm(-1).

Enthalpy of formation and anharmonic force field of diacetylene

The enthalpy of formation of diacetylene (C4H2) is pinpointed using state-of-the-art theoretical methods, accounting for high-order electron correlation, relativistic effects, non-Born-Oppenheimer corrections, and vibrational anharmonicity. Molecular energies are determined from coupled cluster theory with single and double excitations (CCSD), perturbative triples [CCSD(T)], full triples (CCSDT), and perturbative quadruples [CCSDT(Q)], in concert with correlation-consistent basis sets (cc-pVXZ, X=D, T, Q, 5, 6) that facilitate extrapolations to the complete basis set limit. The first full quartic force field of diacetylene is determined at the highly accurate all-electron CCSD(T) level with a cc-pCVQZ basis, which includes tight functions for core correlation. Application of second-order vibrational perturbation theory to our anharmonic force field yields fundamental frequencies with a mean absolute difference of only 3.9 cm(-1) relative to the experimental band origins, without the use of any empirical scale factors. By a focal point approach, we converge on an enthalpy change for the isogyric reaction 2 H-C[triple bond]C-H-->H-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]C-H+H2 of (+0.03, +0.81) kcal mol(-1) at (0, 298.15) K. With the precisely established fHdegrees of acetylene, we thus obtain DeltafHdegrees(C4H2)=(109.4,109.7)+/-0.3 kcal mol(-1) at (0, 298.15) K. Previous estimates of the diacetylene enthalpy of formation range from 102 to 120 kcal mol(-1).