Electronic structure computations extrapolation

In this book, the experts who have developed and tested many of the currently used electronic structure procedures present an authoritative overview of the theoretical tools for the computation of thermochemical properties of atoms and molecules. The first two chapters describe the highly accurate, computationally expensive approaches that combine high-level calculations with sophisticated extrapolation schemes. In chapters 3 and 4, the widely used G3 and CBS families of composite methods are discussed. The applications of the electron propagator theory to the estimation of energy changes that accompany electron detachment and attachment processes follow in chapter 5. The next two sections of the book focus on practical applications of the aforedescribed... 

It has turned out that the computation of metal nuclear shieldings and chemical shifts is much more difficult than the calculation of ligand shifts which were discussed previously. It appears that metal shieldings are more sensitive to the quality of the computed electronic structure and consequently larger influences due to the XC potential are observed. Regarding the 3d metals, it has turned out that hybrid functionals appear to be particularly well suited for NMR computations of the metal shielding constants. This cannot be easily extrapolated to all of the transition-metals, though, since counter examples are known for which nonhybrid functionals perform better. On the other hand, some 4d metals have been treated most successfully with hybrid functionals. 

Empirical QSPR Correlations In quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) methods, physical properties are correlated with molecular descriptors that characterize the molecular and electronic structure of the molecule. Large amounts of experimental data are used to statistically determine the most significant descriptors to be used in the correlation and their contributions. The resultant correlations are simple to apply if the descriptors are available. Descriptors must generally be generated by the user with computational chemistry software, although the DIPPR 801 database now contains a table of molecular descriptors for most of the compounds in it. QSPR methods are often very accurate for specific families of compounds for which the correlation was developed, but extrapolation problems are even more of an issue than with GC methods. 

A fundamental characteristic of the FPA is the dual extrapolation to the one-and n-particle electronic-structure limits. The process leading to these limits can be described as follows (a) use families of basis sets, such as the correlation-consistent (aug-)cc-p(wC)VnZ sets [51,52], which systematically approach completeness through an increase in the cardinal number n (b) apply lower levels of theory with extended [53] basis sets (typically direct Hartree-Fock (HF) [54] and second-order Moller-Plesset (MP2) [55] computations) (c) use higher-order valence correlation treatments [CCSD(T), CCSDTQ(P), even FCI] [5,56] with the largest possible basis sets and (d) lay out a two-dimensional extrapolation grid based on the assumed additivity of correlation increments followed by suitable extrapolations. FPA assumes that the higher-order correlation increments show diminishing basis set dependence. Focal-point [2,49,50,57-62] and numerous other theoretical studies have shown that even in systems without particularly heavy elements, account must also be taken for core correlation and relativistic phenomena, as well as for (partial) breakdown of the BO approximation, i.e., inclusion of the DBOC correction [28-33]. 

The crystal orbital approach (see ref. 94 for a review of the recent computational developments in this field) has dominated the electronic structure calculations on polymers for several years. However, the recently published reports on the finite-cluster calculations reveal that the latter methodology has several definite advantages over the traditional approach. Let P(N) be an extensive property of a finite cluster X-(-A-)j -Y, where N is the number of repeating units denoted by A, while X and Y stand for terminal groups. The corresponding intensive properties, p(N) = P(N)/N, are known only for integer values of N. However, provided the polymer in question is not metallic, P(v) can be approximated by a smooth function p(v) of v = 1/N, which in turn can be extrapolated to v = 0 yielding the property of the bulk polymer. 

In contrast to molecular mechanics force fields, modern semiempirical methods are classified as an SCF electron-structure theory (wavefunction-based) method [12]. Older (pre-HF) semiempirical approaches such as extended Hvickel theory, which can be classified as a one-electron effective Hamiltonian approach, involve drastic approximations but rely on the researcher s intuition and ability to extrapolate from simple computations to meaningful chemistry. This method is not used much these days but still plays a role in determining the band structures of organic polymers, most of which are carbon-rich by definition [13]. 

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