Accurate theoretical determination of the structure of aromatic complexes is complicated: the phenol dimer and phenol...methanol cases

J Phys Chem A. 2007 Jul 5;111(26):5851-4. doi: 10.1021/jp071486+. Epub 2007 Jun 13.

Abstract

The structure of the phenol dimer and phenol...methanol complexes was determined by gradient optimization using the Hartree-Fock (HF), MP2, DFT, and RI-DFT-D methods with various basis sets. Theoretical rotational constants were compared with experimental values and the following conclusions were made: (1) HF and DFT methods fail to predict cluster geometries; (2) MP2 with a medium basis set yields reliable cluster geometries but only because of a compensation for errors; (3) when the AO basis set is enlarged, the geometry becomes incorrect, and the theoretical geometry becomes reliable only when the higher correlation energy contributions (CCSD(T)) are included; and (4) the RI-DFT-D procedure covering the dispersion energy provides excellent geometries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Dimerization
  • Methanol / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Phenol / chemistry*

Substances

  • Phenol
  • Methanol