Sent to CCL by: Wai-To Chan <chan(!)curl.gkcl.yorku.ca>
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Dear CCL Readers,
I have a planar conjugated organic molecule that, on paper, has D2h
symmetry. I am working with the hypothesis that the molecule is a
biradical singlet. I want to perform a CASSCF(2,2) on this molecule
to estimate the biradical character of this molecule. When I
calculate the molecule with the constraint that the molecule has D2h
symmetry, the calculation has severe convergence problems. If I
remove this constraint, the molecule distorts to a C2v symmetry and I
obtain a biradical character ~20%. I checked the orbitals being used
for the CASSCF calculation and they look right (one nonbonding and
another slightly antibonding).
Is the situation described above correct? Can an organic molecule
have such a symmetry breaking as a result of a CASSCF calculation? Is
the molecule really a C2v system? Any suggestions are welcome.
Thank you very much in advance for your help.
Sincerely yours,
Gustavo L.C. Moura
I assume that you removed the D2h symmetry constraint by changing
the original cartesian coordinates just small enough for the program to
recognize
the C2v symmetry.
If the distortion of the C2v structure from D2h is not too large
I would repeat the optimization starting with the undistorted D2h
geometry.
Small deviation from ideal symmtry is not that unusual with CASSCF
geometry optimization
even when it is properly executed.
I would try to avoid the convergence difficulties by changing the
symmetry
of the wavefunction instead of the geometry. With GAMESS this can be
done by
specifying a lower symmetry than D2h in the $DET or $DRT input card.
With Gaussian I am not sure how this can be done. Perhaps the nosymm
keyword could do
but I am not sure if it is effective in the CASSCF step. If the CASSCF
is based on
UHF unrestricted orbitals I will try to break the symmetry of the UHF
wavefunction.
If your casscf-optimized C2V geometry is clearly distinctive from
the D2h symmetry you perceive to be correct a possible explanation
is that the active space in your MCSCF wavefunction is not sufficiently
large. A 2-electrons-2-MOs active space is of the minimum size for
diradicals. Your system seems to be more of a diradicaloid than an
open-shell singlet diradical. It may sound surprising but partial
diradical
systems may require a larger active space than a pure diradical.
With Gaussian I would design the size of the active space required by
running a UHF calculation on the D2h structure first with guess=mix and
stable=opt
specified. I would then examine the occupancy of the UHF-natural
orbitals
(with pop=naturalorbitals). If the fraction occupancies of the natural
orbitals
beyond the HOMO and the LUMO are significant I would increase the
active space
size accordingly.
Wai-To Chan>