Peculiar basis set dependence of the energetics of C₂S₂H₂2 isomers. In search of adequate and affordable basis set for routine calculations

Abstract

Quantum mechanical calculations using the Hartree-Fock (HF), post-Hartree-Fock {MP2 and CCSD(T)}and gradient-corrected hybrid density functional variant, B3LYP methodology in conjugation with basis sets like 6-31G*, 6-311G** and cc-pVTZ, were employed to critically probe the right quality of basis set and the appropriate level of theory that can be applied in modeling the organo-sulfur compounds. The relative stability ordering of 1,2-dithiete and dithioglyoxal reveal the delicate basis set dependence especially on ‘S’ atom. Single point calculations at the B3LYP, MP2 and CCSD(T) levels using a series of basis set ranging from double ζ quality all the way up to the quintuple ζ quality were done to illustrate the effect of electron correlation and the basis set dependency for these compounds. Basis set requirements are much higher than affordable for medium sized molecules as very slow convergence is seen even when the calculations are carried out with basis set as high as cc-pV5Z at the B3LYP and MP2 level of theories.