Theoretical Characterization of Non-Covalent Weakly Bound Clusters Through the Application of Sophisticated Computational Quantum Chemistry Methodologies and the Development of Integrated Fragmentation Techniques

Author

Desiree Bates

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Chemistry

First Advisor

Gregory S. Tschumper

Second Advisor

Brian Hopkins

Third Advisor

Steven Davis

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

Non-covalent, weakly bound clusters have been and remain of significant interest to many researchers. However, with computational studies, accurate description of these interactions requires sophisticated electronic structure methods employing large basis sets. This methodology becomes extremely computationally demanding as the size of the system increases. This work presents benchmark data and explores methods for obtaining highly accurate ab initio results for larger systems at greatly reduced computational costs. CCSD(T) complete basis set limit interaction energies are presented for a variety of parallel-slipped π...π dimers and low-lying isomers of (h₂o)₆. The calibration of a 2-body:Many-body fragmentation method for computing interaction energies of several (H₂O)_n clusters with n ranging from 3-10 is performed. As a result, 2-body:Many-body QM:QM approach is extended to a 3-body:Many-body technique. In addition to calculating the energetics, the 2-body:Many-body fragmentation method, which is cast within the ONIOM framework, is used for the determination of Cartesian analytic gradients for the purpose of geometry optimizations.

Recommended Citation

Bates, Desiree, "Theoretical Characterization of Non-Covalent Weakly Bound Clusters Through the Application of Sophisticated Computational Quantum Chemistry Methodologies and the Development of Integrated Fragmentation Techniques" (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 48.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/48