Francesco Aquilante

Software news and update MOLCAS 7 : The Next Generation

Some of the new unique features of the MOLCAS quantum chemistry package version 7 are presented in this report. In particular, the Cholesky decomposition method applied to some quantum chemical methods is described. This approach is used both in the context of a straight forward approximation of the two‐electron integrals and in the generation of so‐called auxiliary basis sets. The article describes how the method is implemented for most known wave functions models: self‐consistent field, density functional theory, 2nd order perturbation theory, complete‐active space self‐consistent field multiconfigurational reference 2nd order perturbation theory, and coupled‐cluster methods. The report further elaborates on the implementation of a restricted‐active space self‐consistent field reference function in conjunction with 2nd order perturbation theory. The average atomic natural orbital basis for relativistic calculations, covering the whole periodic table, are described and associated unique properties are demonstrated. Furthermore, the use of the arbitrary order Douglas‐Kroll‐Hess transformation for one‐component relativistic calculations and its implementation are discussed. This section especially focuses on the implementation of the so‐called picture‐change‐free atomic orbital property integrals. Moreover, the ElectroStatic Potential Fitted scheme, a version of a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics hybrid method implemented in MOLCAS, is described and discussed. Finally, the report discusses the use of the MOLCAS package for advanced studies of photo chemical phenomena and the usefulness of the algorithms for constrained geometry optimization in MOLCAS in association with such studies.

MOLCAS 8: New Capabilities for Multiconfigurational Quantum Chemical Calculations across the Periodic Table

In this report, we summarize and describe the recent unique updates and additions to the Molcas quantum chemistry program suite as contained in release version 8. These updates include natural and spin orbitals for studies of magnetic properties, local and linear scaling methods for the Douglas–Kroll–Hess transformation, the generalized active space concept in MCSCF methods, a combination of multiconfigurational wave functions with density functional theory in the MC‐PDFT method, additional methods for computation of magnetic properties, methods for diabatization, analytical gradients of state average complete active space SCF in association with density fitting, methods for constrained fragment optimization, large‐scale parallel multireference configuration interaction including analytic gradients via the interface to the Columbus package, and approximations of the CASPT2 method to be used for computations of large systems. In addition, the report includes the description of a computational machinery for nonlinear optical spectroscopy through an interface to the QM/MM package Cobramm. Further, a module to run molecular dynamics simulations is added, two surface hopping algorithms are included to enable nonadiabatic calculations, and the DQ method for diabatization is added. Finally, we report on the subject of improvements with respects to alternative file options and parallelization.

Cholesky decomposition-based multiconfiguration second-order perturbation theory (CD-CASPT2): Application to the spin-state energetics of Co-III(diiminato)(NPh)

The electronic structure and low-lying electronic states of a Co(III)(diiminato)(NPh) complex have been studied using multiconfigurational wave function theory (CASSCF/CASPT2). The results have been compared to those obtained with density functional theory. The best agreement with ab initio results is obtained with a modified B3LYP functional containing a reduced amount (15%) of Hartree-Fock exchange. A relativistic basis set with 869 functions has been employed in the most extensive ab initio calculations, where a Cholesky decomposition technique was used to overcome problems arising from the large size of the two-electron integral matrix. It is shown that this approximation reproduces results obtained with the full integral set to a high accuracy, thus opening the possibility to use this approach to perform multiconfigurational wave-function-based quantum chemistry on much larger systems relative to what has been possible until now.

Unbiased auxiliary basis sets for accurate two-electron integral approximations

We propose Cholesky decomposition (CD) of the atomic two-electron integral matrix as a robust and general technique for generating auxiliary basis sets for the density fitting approximation. The atomic CD (aCD) auxiliary basis set is calculated on the fly and is not biased toward a particular quantum chemical method. Moreover, the accuracy of the aCD basis set can be controlled with a single parameter.

Accurate ab initio density fitting for multiconfigurational self-consistent field methods

Using Cholesky decomposition and density fitting to approximate the electron repulsion integrals, an implementation of the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) method suitable for large-scale applications is presented. Sample calculations on benzene, diaquo-tetra-mu-acetato-dicopper(II), and diuraniumendofullerene demonstrate that the Cholesky and density fitting approximations allow larger basis sets and larger systems to be treated at the CASSCF level of theory with controllable accuracy. While strict error control is an inherent property of the Cholesky approximation, errors arising from the density fitting approach are managed by using a recently proposed class of auxiliary basis sets constructed from Cholesky decomposition of the atomic electron repulsion integrals.

Atomic Cholesky decompositions: A route to unbiased auxiliary basis sets for density fitting approximation with tunable accuracy and efficiency

Cholesky decomposition of the atomic two-electron integral matrix has recently been proposed as a procedure for automated generation of auxiliary basis sets for the density fitting approximation [F. Aquilante et al., J. Chem. Phys. 127, 114107 (2007)]. In order to increase computational performance while maintaining accuracy, we propose here to reduce the number of primitive Gaussian functions of the contracted auxiliary basis functions by means of a second Cholesky decomposition. Test calculations show that this procedure is most beneficial in conjunction with highly contracted atomic orbital basis sets such as atomic natural orbitals, and that the error resulting from the second decomposition is negligible. We also demonstrate theoretically as well as computationally that the locality of the fitting coefficients can be controlled by means of the decomposition threshold even with the long-ranged Coulomb metric. Cholesky decomposition-based auxiliary basis sets are thus ideally suited for local density fitting approximations.

Multiconfiguration second‐order perturbation theory approach to strong electron correlation in chemistry and photochemistry

Rooted in the very fundamental aspects of many chemical phenomena, and for the majority of photochemistry, is the onset of strongly interacting electronic configurations. To describe this challenging regime of strong electron correlation, an extraordinary effort has been put forward by a young generation of scientists in the development of theories ‘beyond’ standard wave function and density functional models. Despite their encouraging results, a twenty‐and‐more‐year old approach still stands as the gold standard for these problems: multiconfiguration second‐order perturbation theory based on complete active space reference wave function (CASSCF/CASPT2). We will present here a brief overview of the CASSCF/CASPT2 computational protocol, and of its role in our understanding of chemical and photochemical processes.

The cis‐[RuII(bpy)2(H2O)2]2+ Water‐Oxidation Catalyst Revisited

The only operating mechanism in the oxidation of water to dioxygen catalyzed by the mononuclear cis-[RuII(bpy)2(H2O)2]2+ complex when treated with excess CeIV was unambiguously established. Theoretical calculations together with 18O-labeling experiments (see plot) revealed that it is the nucleophilic attack of water on a Ru=O group.

Calibration of Cholesky Auxiliary Basis Sets for Multiconfigurational Perturbation Theory Calculations of Excitation Energies

The accuracy of auxiliary basis sets derived from Cholesky decomposition of two-electron integrals is assessed for excitation energies calculated at the state-average complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) and multiconfigurational second order perturbation theory (CASPT2) levels of theory using segmented as well as generally contracted atomic orbital basis sets. Based on 196 valence excitations in 26 organic molecules and 72 Rydberg excitations in 3 organic molecules, the results show that Cholesky auxiliary basis sets can be used without compromising the accuracy of the multiconfigurational methods. Specifically, with a decomposition threshold of 10(-4) au, the mean error due to the Cholesky auxiliary basis set is 0.001 eV, or smaller, decreasing with increasing atomic orbital basis set quality.

A theoretical investigation of valence and Rydberg electronic states of acrolein

The main features of the ultraviolet spectrum of acrolein have been studied by a multireference perturbative treatment and by a time dependent density functional approach. The valence and Rydberg transition energies have been calculated and the assignment of the experimental bands has been clarified. The different relaxation trends of the three lowest singlet and triplet excited states have been analyzed by unconstrained geometry optimizations. This has allowed, in particular, the characterization of a twisted 3(*) state, which is crucial for the interesting photophysics and photochemistry of the acrolein molecule and, more generally, of the ,-enones. Solvatochromic shifts in aqueous solution have been investigated using a combined discrete/continuum approach based on the so called polarizable continuum model. The experimental trends are well reproduced by this approach and a closer degeneracy in the triplet manifold has been detected in solution with respect to gas phase. ©2003 American Institute of Physics. (Less)