Symmetry, potential energy surfaces

Static properties of some molecules ([193,277-280]). More recently, pairs of ci s have been studied [281,282] in greater detail. These studies arose originally in connection with a ci between the l A and 2 A states found earlier in computed potential energy surfaces for C2H in symmetry [278]. Similar ci s appear between the potential surfaces of the two lowest excited states A2 and B2 iit H2S or of 82 and A in Al—H2 within C2v symmetry [283]. A further, closely spaced pair of ci s has also been found between the 3 A and 4 A states of the molecule C2H. Here the separation between the twins varies with the assumed C—C separation, and they can be brought into coincidence at some separation [282]. 

For vei y small vibronic coupling, the quadratic terms in the power series expansion of the electronic Hamiltonian in normal coordinates (see Appendix E) may be considered to be negligible, and hence the potential energy surface has rotational symmetry but shows no separate minima at the bottom of the moat. In this case, the pair of vibronic levels Aj and A2 in < 3 become degenerate by accident, and the D3/, quantum numbers (vi,V2,/2) may be used to label the vibronic levels of the X3 molecule. When the coupling of the... 

GP effect, with the shifts being equal to +0.0807, —0.0709, and —0.0273 eV for the Ai, A2, and E symmetries, respectively. Clearly, such shifts are larger than those obtained in the calculations for the lower adiabatic potential energy surface, namely, +0.0104, —0.0194, and —0.0043 eV (in the above order). 

Similar to the case without consideration of the GP effect, the nuclear probability densities of Ai and A2 symmetries have threefold symmetry, while each component of E symmetry has twofold symmetry with respect to the line defined by (3 = 0. However, the nuclear probability density for the lowest E state has a higher symmetry, being cylindrical with an empty core. This is easyly understand since there is no potential barrier for pseudorotation in the upper sheet. Thus, the nuclear wave function can move freely all the way around the conical intersection. Note that the nuclear probability density vanishes at the conical intersection in the single-surface calculations as first noted by Mead [76] and generally proved by Varandas and Xu [77]. The nuclear probability density of the lowest state of Aj (A2) locates at regions where the lower sheet of the potential energy surface has A2 (Ai) symmetry in 5s. Note also that the Ai levels are raised up, and the A2 levels lowered down, while the order of the E levels has been altered by consideration of the GP effect. Such behavior is similar to that encountered for the trough states [11]. 

The origin of a torsional barrier can be studied best in simple cases like ethane. Here, rotation about the central carbon-carbon bond results in three staggered and three eclipsed stationary points on the potential energy surface, at least when symmetry considerations are not taken into account. Quantum mechanically, the barrier of rotation is explained by anti-bonding interactions between the hydrogens attached to different carbon atoms. These interactions are small when the conformation of ethane is staggered, and reach a maximum value when the molecule approaches an eclipsed geometry. 

Chapter 12, to symmetry-caused energy barriers on the H2CO ==> H2 + CO reaction potential energy surface. 

It should be stressed that although these symmetry considerations may allow one to anticipate barriers on reaction potential energy surfaces, they have nothing to do with the thermodynamic energy differences of such reactions. Symmetry says whether there will be symmetry-imposed barriers above and beyond any thermodynamic energy differences. The enthalpies of formation of reactants and products contain the information about the reaction s overall energy balance. 

The researchers established that the potential energy surface is dependent on the basis set (the description of individual atomic orbitals). Using an ab initio method (6-3IG ), they found eight Cg stationary points for the conformational potential energy surface, including four minima. They also found four minima of Cg symmetry. Both the AMI and PM3 semi-empirical methods found three minima. Only one of these minima corresponded to the 6-3IG conformational potential energy surface. 

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