Hartree—Fock/density-functional theory

Chapter 6, Selecting an Appropriate Theoretical Method, discusses the model chemistry concept introduced in Chapter 1 in detail. It covers the strengths, computational cost and limitations of a variety of popular methods, beginning with semi-empirical models and continuing through Hartree-Fock, Density Functional Theory, and electron correlation methods. 

Key words Hartree-Fock, Density functional theory, Extended Hiickel, Molecular mechanics, Quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics... 

Figure 5. Normal modes for vibration of tetrahedral [Cr04] (chromate). There are four distinct vibrational frequencies, including one doubly-degenerate vibration (E symmetry) and two triply-degenerate vibrations (F2 symmetry), for a total of nine vibrational modes. Arrows show the characteristic motions of each atom during vibration, and the length of each arrow is proportional to the magnitude of atomic motion. Only F2 modes involve motion of the central chromium atom, and as a result their vibrational frequencies are affected by Cr-isotope substitution. The normal modes shown here were calculated with an ab initio quantum mechanical model, using hybrid Hartree-Fock/Density Functional Theory (B3LYP) and the 6-31G(d) basis set—other ab initio and empirical force-field models give very similar results.

Restrepo-Cossio, A. A., Gonzalez, C. A., Mari, F. Comparative ab Initio Treatment (Hartree-Fock, Density Functional Theory, MP2, and Quadratic Configuration Interactions) of the Cycloaddition of Phosphorus Ylides with Formaldehyde in the Gas Phase. J. Phys. Chem. A 1998, 102, 6993-7000. 

Outline This review concentrates on work which mainly treats ILs from theoretical considerations and not from an experimental point of view. If calculations play only a supportive role in them, articles may have been neglected on principle. We also refrain from an introduction to methodological aspects and rather refer the reader to good textbooks on the subjects. The review is organized as follows Static QC calculations are discussed in detail in the next section including Hartree-Fock, density functional theory (Sect. 2.2) and correlated (i.e., more sophisticated) methods (Sect. 2.4) as well as semiempirical methods (Sect. 2.1). We start with these kinds of small system calculations because they can be considered as a basis for the other calculations, i.e., an insight into the intermolecular forces is obtained. 

Scheme for hybrid Hartree-Fock/density functional theory introduced by Becke... 

Ab initio methods are applicable to the widest variety of property calculations. Many typical organic molecules can now be modeled with ab initio methods, such as Hartree Fock, density functional theory, and Moller Plesset perturbation theory. Organic molecule calculations are made easier by the fact that most organic molecules have singlet spin ground states. Organics are the systems for which sophisticated properties, such as NMR chemical shifts and nonlinear optical properties, can be calculated most accurately. 

Hartree-Fock, Density Functional and Perturbation Theory. 218... 

Poater J, Sola M, Duran M, Fradera X (2002) The calculation of electron localization and delocalization indices at the Hartree-Fock, density functional and post-Hartree-Fock levels of theory. Theor Chem Acc 107 362-371... 

To use direct dynamics for the study of non-adiabatic systems it is necessary to be able to efficiently and accurately calculate electronic wave functions for excited states. In recent years, density functional theory (DFT) has been gaining ground over traditional Hartree-Fock based SCF calculations for the treatment of the ground state of large molecules. Recent advances mean that so-called time-dependent DFT methods are now also being applied to excited states. Even so, at present, the best general methods for the treatment of the photochemistry of polyatomic organic molecules are MCSCF methods, of which the CASSCF method is particularly powerful. 

Local spin density functional theory (LSDFT) is an extension of regular DFT in the same way that restricted and unrestricted Hartree-Fock extensions were developed to deal with systems containing unpaired electrons. In this theory both the electron density and the spin density are fundamental quantities with the net spin density being the difference between the density of up-spin and down-spin electrons ... 

Several functional forms have been investigated for the basis functions Given the vast experience of using Gaussian functions in Hartree-Fock theory it will come as no surprise to learn that such functions have also been employed in density functional theory. However, these are not the only possibility Slater type orbitals are also used, as are numerical... 

The application of density functional theory to isolated, organic molecules is still in relative infancy compared with the use of Hartree-Fock methods. There continues to be a steady stream of publications designed to assess the performance of the various approaches to DFT. As we have discussed there is a plethora of ways in which density functional theory can be implemented with different functional forms for the basis set (Gaussians, Slater type orbitals, or numerical), different expressions for the exchange and correlation contributions within the local density approximation, different expressions for the gradient corrections and different ways to solve the Kohn-Sham equations to achieve self-consistency. This contrasts with the situation for Hartree-Fock calculations, wlrich mostly use one of a series of tried and tested Gaussian basis sets and where there is a substantial body of literature to help choose the most appropriate method for incorporating post-Hartree-Fock methods, should that be desired. 

Within the periodic Hartree-Fock approach it is possible to incorporate many of the variants that we have discussed, such as LFHF or RHF. Density functional theory can also be used. I his makes it possible to compare the results obtained from these variants. Whilst density functional theory is more widely used for solid-state applications, there are certain types of problem that are currently more amenable to the Hartree-Fock method. Of particular ii. Icvance here are systems containing unpaired electrons, two recent examples being the clci tronic and magnetic properties of nickel oxide and alkaline earth oxides doped with alkali metal ions (Li in CaO) [Dovesi et al. 2000]. 

We win run this job on methane at the Hartree-Fock level using the 6-31G(d) basis our molecule specification is the result of a geometry optimization using the B3LYP Density Functional Theory method with the same basis set. This combination is cited... 

As a final note, be aware that Hartree-Fock calculations performed with small basis sets are many times more prone to finding unstable SCF solutions than are larger calculations. Sometimes this is a result of spin contamination in other cases, the neglect of electron correlation is at the root. The same molecular system may or may not lead to an instability when it is modeled with a larger basis set or a more accurate method such as Density Functional Theory. Nevertheless, wavefunctions should still be checked for stability with the SCF=Stable option. ... 

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