Biomedical subjects

Berhane Temelso

Publications and source records attributed to Berhane Temelso.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

High-level ab initio studies of hydrogen abstraction from prototype hydrocarbon systems.

Symmetric and nonsymmetric hydrogen abstraction reactions are studied using state-of-the-art ab initio electronic structure methods. Second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) and the coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] methods with large correlation consistent basis sets (cc-pVXZ, where X = D,T,Q) are used in determining the transition-state geometries, activation barriers, and thermodynamic properties of several representative hydrogen abstraction reactions. The importance of basis set, electron correlation, and choice of zeroth-order reference wave function in the accurate prediction of activation barriers and reaction enthalpies are also investigated. The ethynyl radical (*CCH), which has a very high affinity for hydrogen atoms, is studied as a prototype hydrogen abstraction agent. Our high-level quantum mechanical computations indicate that hydrogen abstraction using the ethynyl radical has an activation energy of less than 3 kcal mol(-1) for hydrogens bonded to an sp(2) or sp(3) carbon. These low activation barriers further corroborate previous studies suggesting that ethynyl-type radicals would make good tooltips for abstracting hydrogens from diamondoid surfaces during mechanosynthesis. Modeling the diamond C(111) surface with isobutane and treating the ethynyl radical as a tooltip, hydrogen abstraction in this reaction is predicted to be barrierless.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2006

Hybrid correlation models based on active-space partitioning: seeking accurate O(N5) ab initio methods for bond breaking.

Moller-Plesset second-order (MP2) perturbation theory remains the least expensive standard ab initio method that includes electron correlation, scaling as O(N5) with the number of molecular orbitals N. Unfortunately, when restricted Hartree-Fock orbitals are employed, the potential energy curves calculated with this method are of little use at large interatomic separations because of the divergent behavior of MP2 in these regions. In our previous study [J. Chem. Phys. 122, 234110 (2005)] we combined the MP2 method with the singles and doubles coupled cluster (CCSD) method to produce a hybrid method that retains the computational scaling of MP2 and improves dramatically the shape of the MP2 curves. In this work we expand the hybrid methodology to several other schemes. We investigate a new, improved MP2-CCSD method as well as a few other O(N5) methods related to the Epstein-Nesbet pair correlation theory. Nonparallelity errors across the dissociation curve as well as several spectroscopic constants are computed for BH, HF, H2O, CH+, CH4, and Li2 molecules with the 6-31G* basis set and compared with the corresponding full configuration interaction results. We show that among the O(N5) methods considered, our new hybrid MP2-CCSD method is the most accurate and significantly outperforms MP2 not only at large interatomic separations, but also near equilibrium geometries.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

High accuracy ab initio studies of Li6+, Li6-, and three isomers of Li6.

The structures and energetics of Li(6) (+), Li(6) (-) and three isomers of Li(6) are investigated using the coupled-cluster singles, doubles and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] method with valence and core-valence correlation consistent basis sets of double- to quadruple-zeta quality (cc-pVXZ and cc-pCVXZ, where X=D-Q). These results are compared with qualitatively different predictions by less reliable methods. Our results conclusively show that the D(4h) isomer is the global minimum structure for Li(6). It is energetically favored over the C(5v) and D(3h) structures by about 5.1 and 7.1 kcal mol(-1), respectively, after the inclusion of the zero-point vibrational energy (ZPVE) correction. Our most accurate total atomization energies are 123.2, 117.6, and 115.7 kcal mol(-1) for the D(4h), C(5v), and D(3h) isomers, respectively. Comparison of experimental optical absorption spectra with our computed electronic spectra also indicate that the D(4h) isomer is indeed the most stable structure. The cation, anion, and some higher spin states are investigated using the less expensive cc-pCVDZ basis set. Adiabatic ionization energies and electron affinities are reported and compared with experimental values. Predictions of molecular properties are found to be sensitive to the basis set used and to the treatment of electron correlation.

Journal Article↗